Raphoe, County Donegal 1999 - Fruit of the Loom Closes

Fruit of the Loom ceases production in Raphoe with the loss of two hundred and twenty jobs. It has been a difficult time for the US owned company Fruit of the Loom which has made over seven hundred people redundant at factories at Buncrana, Malin Head and Milford this year. There were 220 people left without work following the closure of the Raphoe Fruit of the Loom factory. This was an emotional day for both workers and managers, with all facing into an uncertain future, Very sad indeed to see it coming to an end. Staff at Fruit of the Loom plants in Buncrana and Derry will be on a three day week from Monday. MEP (Member of the European Parliament) Dana Rosemary Scallon has called for immediate action for towns in the north west affected by the closures. Please set up an emergency fund immediatley to this area. There was some hope this afternoon however as Enterprise Ireland and the IDA (Industrial Development Authority) have confirmed that two companies are considering taking over the Raphoe and Malin plants. Broadcast on 17 September 1999.