Coughlan to announce significant jobs boost for midlands

The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Mary Coughlan is set to announce a significant jobs boost for the midlands later today.

The US medical devices firm Abiomed is to set up a new manufacturing facility in Athlone to make a new product for patients suffering from acute heart failure.

The company will be taking over a premises previously occupied by Conor Medsystems, which closed in May of last year with the loss of 165 jobs.

Abiomed is moving its German operations to the new Irish facility.

Ms Coughlan is due reveal how many jobs will be created when she formally announces the investment in Athlone later today.