Elan announces job losses in Ireland
The troubled American owned Elan pharmaceutical company has announced up to 300 job losses at its Irish headquarters in Athlone, Co Westmeath.
The company is also to close its corporate offices in Dublin.
The move is part of a recovery plan, which will bring about one thousand job-losses world-wide, and follows the collapse in the value of the company.
Paul Breen is spokesperson for Elan and says the company's survival is key to today's announcement:
"We are looking at the core business going forward as we develop a new Elan," he said.
"We will look at those projects and priorities that will support the new company, and we will adjust the head-count to suit the new company."
He added: "Indeed it is a very difficult day to go through this process, but we believe it is essential if we are to deliver the new Elan.
"We plan to continue operations at our Athlone sites. We expect to see our workforce in Athlone reduced to about 450 people."
