Arklow's Allergan to close by June 09, Westport plant unaffected

The US pharmaceutical company Allergan has confirmed plans to close its plant in Co Wicklow with the loss of 360 jobs.

Staff from the Arklow factory were told of the news during a meeting with management at a local hotel this morning.

The plant, which manufactures silicon breast implants, is one of the biggest employers in the area.

Allergan says the facility will be closed down by June 2009, with operations moving to Costa Rica, where costs are lower.

SIPTU says the job losses will have a major impact on the employees directly, as well as on the general economy in Co Wicklow.

Allergan also employs 800 people at a facility in Westport, Co Mayo in the manufacture of sterile pharmaceutical products for the global ophthalmic and neurological market. That plant will be unaffected by the loss of the Arklow plant, according to a company statement today.