Politicians clash on Mallow sugar plant closure

There have been rowdy scenes in the Dáil after a European report found the closure of the Greencore sugar plant in Mallow four years ago may not have been necessary.

Some 240 people lost their jobs at the Co Cork facility, the closure of which brought an end to sugar production in Ireland.

But the European Court of Auditors said the Commission was using out of date information when it reformed the sector.

During almost half an hour of noisy scenes, Labour leader Eamon Gilmore demanded Tánaiste Mary Coughlan explain her role.