Loss of 400 jobs in Mid-West puts Government under pressure

THE Government came under renewed pressure yesterday with the announcement of 400 job losses at Shannon in Co Clare.

The grim news came as a major blow to Mid-West region and prompted Tanaiste Mary Harney to pledge that all state agencies, including Shannon Development and the IDA, would be mobilised to find a replacement industry.

The 400 workers at Tellabs in Shannon were told the company could no longer continue to operate in the face of losses blamed on the global downturn in the telecommunications market.