65 jobs lost in Athy

65 jobs are to go in Co Kildare after the Athy-based Peerless Rugs announced it was to shut its doors after 26 years in business.

Based in Athy since 1975, the bathmat manufacturer closes in July, following major rationalisation over the past five years.

The company changed owners in 1997, but still found trading difficult due to competition from cheaper manufacturers in the Far East.

The staff of 200 had previously been culled down to 65, but trading conditions did not improve.