163 jobs to go as Limerick firm shuts

A Limerick aluminium plant is to close before Christmas with the loss of 163 jobs.

Atlas Aluminium said today it would shut in the next four to six weeks because "the loss of substantial customer business contracts which makes the company's operations no longer financially viable".

The company, which provides over 200,000 parts for some of the world's major motor manufacturers, had faced a two-week strike over claims that foreign workers were being treated unfairly at the Dock Road plant.

Atlas confirmed that last Friday, on the recommendation of their Siptu union representatives, employees voted to end their industrial action.

Established in 1980, the company brought an estimated €10 million to the local economy per annum.