2,000 jobs lost since beginning of year

MANUFACTURING firms are under renewed attack from low-cost countries forcing factory closures around the country, it was claimed yesterday.

Around 2,000 jobs have been lost in the first three weeks of the year with the closure of plants in Dublin, Donegal and Carlow.

Eric Conroy, Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed general secretary, said it was a worrying start to the year despite renewed economic and employment growth.