Galway construction closure brings job losses to 320

More than 320 jobs were lost today with the closure of a major printing firm in Dublin and a construction company in Co Galway.

Around 160 jobs are to go at Terenure Printers at the end of July after several key contracts were lost while building firm Bilcon Construction in Portumna revealed it is to go into liquidation.

Terenure Printers produce the Sunday World, Sunday Tribune and the Irish editions of the Daily Star and Star on Sunday.

Staff were informed last week the company had lost three important printing contracts including the Farmer’s Journal and Buy&Sell magazine. Management also revealed Express Newspapers had ended its contract.

Michael Brophy, Terenure Printers managing director, said it was a difficult decision but unavoidable in the context of contract losses and cost issues involved.

Staff at Bilcon, which includes 75 Polish workers, were given leaflets telling them the issues of wages, holiday pay and redundancy pay would be dealt with by the liquidator.

Michael D Higgins, Labour Party president, said the collapse of the building company was a savage blow to the area and workers, many of whom are Polish.

“Clearly, these workers, many of whom are immigrants from Poland, had no idea that their jobs were at risk,” he said.

“The company was even responsible for their accommodation, so they now find themselves with no jobs, no homes, and no livelihood.”