Opinion

Gallaher job losses a catastrophic blow

THE loss of almost 1,000 jobs at the JTI Gallaher plant in Ballymena caused considerable shock yesterday and undoubtedly represents an enormous economic blow to Co Antrim and further afield.

It was known that new EU directives had major implications for the cigarette manufacturing industry but it had been hoped that the total closure of the factory could be avoided.

Although the redundancies do not begin until May 2016, there was little optimism yesterday that any form of rescue scheme was likely to emerge before then.

It is essential that attempts to attract new investment are intensified but the sad reality is that many of those who are paid off at the Gallaher complex will struggle to find alternative employment.