117 job losses announced in Limerick

An engineering firm in Limerick has announced plans to close with the loss of 117 jobs.

Diamond Engineering in Kilmallock blamed the lay-offs on the downturn in the economy as well as rising insurance and production costs.

The workers were told of the planned closure this afternoon.

Fine Gael Limerick West TD Dan Neville called on the Tánaiste Mary Harney to set up a task force to obtain a replacement industry and avail of the skills of the Diamond Engineering workforce.