It emerged tonight that digital media equipment maker Creative Labs is to close its Blanchardstown operation with the loss of between 230 and 300 people.
It is understood that the company that makes MP3 players and computer sound equipment in Blanchardstown is outsourcing its manufacturing to the Far East.
Up to 80 workers were told last week of their impending redundancy and yesterday the remaining 230 workers were told that the operation was to close at the end of January.
The company has been manufacturing computer products in Dublin for the past 12 years and only two years ago shifted major manufacturing and test responsibilities to Blanchardstown to concentrate on making leading edge products like the Zen MP3 player.
At its peak the Blanchardstown plant employed over 500 people manufacturing and distributing products to Europe.
By John Kennedy
