Efforts to safeguard Liebherr jobs in Killarney

High-level approaches were continuing yesterday to ensure the Liebherr Group maintains its commitment to the Killarney plant and does not go ahead with threatened measures that would affect employment in its Irish operation.

The company has said it is “re-evaluating’’ its dependency on its plant in Killarney, Co Kerry, following a Labour Court recommendation that it pay 2.5% in back pay, arising from industrial action by Siptu.

Liebherr, which employs 670 people manufacturing container cranes in the town, has warned that plans for further expansion and increased employment are now in jeopardy and some work is being transferred to overseas plants.