A fish processing plant in Co Roscommon is to close in September with 78 job losses, it was confirmed.
Green Isle Foods today announced it was ending production at its fish breading facility based in Boyle.
The firm said the closure, which will result in up to 78 redundancies, was necessary to survive in the competitive frozen fish market.
Management officials were consulting with employees today on the decision. Green Isle, known for its Donegal Catch products, said production will cease by early September, and will be transferred to one of its UK facilities.
The breading facility in Boyle is part of Green Isle's Irish business which produces the Donegal Catch brand of convenience fish products.
Primary processing, procurement, quality control, R&D, sales and marketing, and brand development will continue unchanged at Green Isle's operations in Gurteen and Naas.
Green Isle Foods' managing director Kieran Carolan said the closure followed an extensive review of the firm's cost structure.
"However, we have taken this regrettable, but unavoidable decision and this action positions the business for the long-term, on a more competitive footing."
The transfer to the UK will help the firm to exploit new business and market opportunities.
"The improved cost base resulting from the transfer will be deployed to drive and enhance our fish business in the Irish and UK markets and Green Isle will continue to be the largest buyer of white fish from the Irish catching sector," he added.
Mr Carolan said every effort will be made to support employees to secure re-training and employment.
"We firmly believe this decision is in the best interests of securing the future of Green Isle's fish business and its employees," he added.
Headquartered in Naas, Co. Kildare, Green Isle employs over 1,300 people with operations in Naas, Portumna, Longford, Gurteen and Boyle.