The loss of up to 18 jobs in a factory which has been a mainstay of the economy in a Cork-Kerry border area for 67 years has been described as extremely disappointing.

Trade union officials are seeking urgent meetings with Cadbury’s parent company, Mondelez, after it yesterday announced it would be cutting 222 jobs from across three of its plants in Dublin and Kerry.

Cadbury Ireland has said business reviews will continue at the company as it implements a plan to reduce its Coolock workforce by 450 in the next two to three years.

Confectionery and drinks giant Cadbury Schweppes today announced plans to cut its global workforce by around 15% – equivalent to around 7,500 jobs.

Cadbury Schweppes said today that it would close around 15% of its confectionery sites, resulting in a 15% reduction in its global headcount.