Chicken processing staff offered other jobs

MOVES were underway last night to lessen the impact of the shock closure of Kantoher Chickens processing plant at Kileedy, Newcastlewest, Co Limerick, with the loss of 138 jobs.

Kerry Group, which owns the business, offered workers the chance to take up alternative posts in other group plants in Charleville and Listowel and confirmed it will negotiate redundancy terms with those who do not choose redeployment.

Forty local growers, who supplied the plant, are to seek an urgent meeting about supplies to Western Brand Chickens in Co Mayo, which will assume responsibility for grower breeder contracts as a result of a formal agreement with Kantoher.