Jobs losses ‘a hammer blow’ for Louisburgh

Job losses ‘a hammer blow’ for Louisburgh


Edwin McGreal

Eighteen jobs are to be cut at Nomadic Display in Louisburgh, in what represents a big blow to the local economy.
The American company, which makes exhibition stands and graphics, employs in the region of 40 people at their Louisburgh plant and has been located in the west Mayo town for in excess of 30 years. Staff at the plant were informed of the decision on Friday last. SIPTU Sector Organiser Michael Kilcoyne (pictured) is due to meet with management from Nomadic Display this afternoon (Tuesday) to negotiate severance packages. Mr Kilcoyne, a Mayo county councillor and native of Louisburgh, says the news represents a hammer blow for the town.“The loss of 18 jobs in Louisburgh would be the equivalent of the loss of 300 jobs in Galway because the unfortunate reality is that for those people who will be made unemployed, there are no other jobs locally. There will be an obvious knock-on effect for other local businesses too,” said Mr Kilcoyne.Most of the staff at the plant had been on three-day weeks recently, but the jobs cull was still unexpected.
Michael Kilcoyne has called on Taoiseach Enda Kenny to deliver on the jobs front for Mayo.
“We’ve heard of no jobs coming to Mayo. There have been announcements in Athlone and Galway, but none for Mayo. Enda Kenny was elected by the people of Mayo, and it is time that there was a jobs announcement for this county.”