Irish plants aid Intel profits rise

INTEL’S Irish operation was a strong contributor to fourth quarter performance at the US computer parts giant.

The company, which employs more than 5,200 people at two Irish plants in Leixlip and Shannon, recorded a 16% increase in fourth quarter profits, on a year-on-year basis, to $2.5billion (€2.07bn).

The growth came despite disappointing chip sales for desktop computers.