Baldoyle factory closure “devastating” for local community

Sinn Féin Dublin City Councillor Mícheál Mac Donncha has described the news that US pharmaceutical company Viatris is to close its plant in Baldoyle as ‘devastating’.

The closure is threatening the future of 440 jobs there with the company set to shut down over the next two years.

The company said a comprehensive redundancy package would be made available to the workers and the majority will remain in their posts until the end of 2022.

In a statement, Viatris said it did not take the decision to close the Baldoyle plant lightly.

The company said it was committed to working with public officials and the community to identify appropriate potential alternatives for the site?if at all possible.

It added that in the meantime it remains committed to treating those affected fairly and with respect.

The firm said there would be no immediate action taken and the majority of its workforce there will remain employed until late 2022.

Sinn Féin Councillor Mícheál Mac Donncha, who represents the local area adjacent to the plant, said:

“The winding down of this plant will see the loss of 440 jobs over the next two years.

“For the workforce and for communities across Dublin’s Northside this is devastating news.

“It is terrible at any time to hear of a large employer closing up, but especially hard to hear in the run up to Christmas and after the horrendous year endured by workers and families in 2020.

“The blow to the economy in this part of the city requires a concerted response from Government and all its relevant agencies.

“It has a run-in period before closure when alternative industry can be identified for this location as well as assisting all workers in terms of skills and readjustment to new employment.”