Dell to axe 1,900 jobs

Computer giant Dell is to axe 1,900 jobs at its flagship manufacturing plant, the company confirmed today.

In a devastating blow for the region, the US multinational will end production at its Limerick factory in the west of Ireland in favour of a new facility and cheaper workforce in Poland.

Dell said the move was part of a three billion US dollar global cost-cutting drive announced last year.

Business leaders in the Limerick region said the knock-on effect of such a massive jobs blow would cripple the local economy, with up to 6,000 other workers in related companies now at risk.

Sean Corkery, vice-president of Dell operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, described the cuts as a difficult decision.

"We are proud of our 18-year tenure as a major manufacturer in Ireland," he said.

"This is a difficult decision, but the right one for Dell to become even more competitive, and deliver greater value to customers in the region."