SIPTU, the workers union is seeking an urgent meeting with the liquidator appointed to Co-operative Poultry Products Ltd in Cootehill, Cavan, following the company's closure which has resulted in 90 job losses.

Workers were informed yesterday evening (Monday, October 22) that the plant was to close with immediate effect. Simon Coyle of Mazars was appointed as overseer to the company, though the company has said that it is too early a stage to suggest whether Co-operative Poultry Products Ltd will in fact go into receivership or liquidation.

SIPTU Organiser, Jim Finnegan, said: "The closure of this long established co-operative will have a devastating effect on the local community. Not only must 90 workers and their families deal with the loss of their livelihoods but more than 25 local growers have also lost their source of income."

He added: "At a brief discussion yesterday I made clear to the liquidator that SIPTU will be seeking the prompt payment of the workers redundancy entitlements."

Local Fine Gael TD, Heather Humphreys, has described the news that Co-operative Poultry Products Ltd has gone into receivership as "a very sad day for the Cootehill area.'

"It is very sad to hear today that Cootehill Poultry Products has gone into receivership and my thoughts today are with the staff and chicken growers.

"I was aware that there were difficulties with the Co-op and I arranged for Minister Shane McEntee to meet with personnel from the company last week.

I have also been liaising closely with Minister Richard Bruton's office who have confirmed that all of the machinery of the state will be made available. Enterprise Ireland are working with the company and every effort will be made to try and find an alternative operator for what is a modern processing plant.

"I know from my previous role with Cootehill Credit Union how important Cootehill Co-op is to the town and the surrounding area. 90 people from the locality were employed directly and my thoughts today are with those workers and their families and also the poultry farmers who have been involved with this co-operative for many years.

"The Department of Social Protection and Fas will be available to assist the staff in whatever way they can and I will be raising the matter with Minister Burton."