Up to 130 jobs to go at Alkermes plant in Athlone

There has been shock and disappointment in Athlone today as it emerged that pharmaceutical firm Alkermes is to cut up to 130 jobs from its local plant over the next two years.

Staff at the company's Monksland facility are being briefed on the job losses this afternoon (Tuesday).

Some 420 people are employed by Alkermes in Athlone, and the company said this workforce would be reduced by between 100 and 130 staff over the two-year period.

Local businessman Dessie Hennelly, who runs Savoury Fare Restaurant in Monksland Business Park, just a stone’s throw from Alkermes, said he was very disappointed to hear of job losses in the company especially as many of the staff have become friends with the workers since they moved out there.

“They are a big part of our business, they’re right on our doorstep and it’s the last thing we want to hear. Things are really on the up in Monksland with the new primary care centre and the Supervalu development complex. It’s really disappointing to hear this news,” he concluded, saying his thoughts were with the employees and their families.

Alkermes took control of what was formerly the Elan plant in Monksland in 2011. 

* For more detail and reaction, see tomorrow's edition of the Westmeath Independent