Abbott cut 500 jobs at Galway plant

One of the largest US multinationals in Ireland has announced 500 job cuts at its Galway plant.

Abbott Laboratories revealed this afternoon that the plant is due to close fully in September, with the first of the layoffs to come in January.

The medical devices company employs more than 3,500 people in six plants around the country.

The company said some workers would be able to stay on at other Irish locations.