SIPTU said yesterday that workers at Lakeland Dairies were shocked by the announcement that the company intends to close its agri-store network by the end of the year and to cease its operations at its milk plant at Lough Egish by July 2007 with a total loss of 146 jobs.

A meat factory is to close in Monaghan with the loss of 80 jobs, it emerged today.

300 workers at Monaghan Poultry are hoping a meeting today between unions and management will safeguard their jobs.