Workers at Miza pharmaceutical in Roscrea, Co Tipperary face a bleak Christmas after a decision in the High Court yesterday to wind up the company.

The end came quickly for the staff at the town's largest employer, which was in examinership for the second time in two years. More than 250 Miza staff were told at a meeting with SIPTU officials and liquidator Mr Tom Grace that they were finished work from 3 p.m. yesterday. Workers, who will get a small statutory redundancy payment plus some holiday pay said the news was "devastating and shocking".

"A closure like this is dreadful for employees coming up to Christmas. They will have no wages and will only be paid a statutory redundancy," said Mr Tony Lowe, SIPTU branch secretary for Tipperary and Thurles.

"The company has gone into liquidation and this is a sad state of affairs for employees because they have nobody to negotiate a redundancy package with. Questions need to be asked about the first examinership of this company," added Mr Lowe.

Worker Mr Sean O'Sullivan was "devastated" by the announcement . "This town is really in a lot of trouble. There are no other jobs here. There seems to be a ring around the midlands and North Tipperary that has been left in the dark when it comes to jobs," said Mr O'Sullivan

Another worker, who did not wish to be named, was angry about the closure. "There are many workers like me who have given their life to this factory. I worked here for 44 years and now I will not have a penny for Christmas

"It's a killer that after 44 years, spending my life here, that besides the statutory compensation, I will get nothing. This is a crime and should never have happened," he said.

Father and son, Patsy (54) and Darren Treacy (27) were very "disappointed" and "saddened" with the loss of their jobs.

Mr Patsy Treacy said: "It doesn't matter what the Government say, we are out of work now. Because of my age I have not much hope of getting work after this."

Mr John Lupton, a spokesman for Roscrea Chamber of Commerce said the "closure of Miza is appalling". "It will have a massive effect on business in the town. It is terrible for Roscrea. We must hope that the IDA will prioritise Roscrea because there are families hit dreadfully by this closure," said Mr Lupton.

North Tipperary is facing an employment crisis with the Miza liquidation. The closure follows a series of industrial shutdowns over the past three years.

More than 230 workers at Aventis in Nenagh were laid off between April and August this year;

as many as 230 workers at GMX in Thurles lost their jobs in 2001;

190 Roscrea Offray Ribbon workers were put out of work in 1999.

No replacement industry has been found for these industries.

Local politicians are questioning the Government's commitment to inward investment in north Tipperary. Fine Gael Senator Mr Noel Coonan said: "There is a crisis in North Tipperary and the midland region.

"The Government has to be questioned on its commitment to this part of the country, especially when it has failed to find replacement industries for the companies that have closed over the past number of years."

Labour Senator Ms Kathleen O'Meara said the job losses were "a severe blow to the economy of Roscrea".

"It is time to declare North Tipperary a jobs blackspot. This is devastating because it is the fourth closure in as many years and none of those jobs has been replaced. Questions have to be asked," said Ms O'Meara.