An East Galway co-op has confirmed this afternoon it will cease processing operations at its Kilconnell site by Summer 2023.
Following a meeting overnight, the board of directors at Arrabawn have decided to accept an offer from Aurivo to purchase its liquid milk sales book.
The firm employs 110 people at its east Galway base.
Almost half of these, mostly sales employees, will transfer with the business, with redeployment opportunities being made available to others across the wider enterprise.
The potential loss of jobs in the area is being described as a major blow and local TD Denis Naughton is now seeking a meeting with Agriculture Minsiter Charlie McConalogue to explore all options.
Arrabawn diaries opened its Kilconnell plant in the 1960's with its headquarters based in Nenagh Co. Tipperary.
Speaking following the announcement this morning, Deputy Naughten says work must be done to secure any jobs affected:
''We do now need to see movement from Government in relation to this in terms of protecting the jobs locally, engagement with Arrabawn about the release of that plant to another processer or operator that will be willing to operate it either as an ongoing concern or for other food processing purposes.''
