SHOCK AS LAKELAND DAIRIES ANNOUNCE PLANS TO CLOSE MONAGHAN, LOUGH EGISH FACILITIES

Lakeland Dairies announced yesterday (Wednesday) that it plans to close three of its facilities over the next 16 months in order to cut overhead expenses, including its operation in Monaghan and its milk drying facilities at Lough Egish. There was speculation following the shock statement that as many as 78 jobs across the co-operative could be impacted. Lakeland’s Banbridge site in Co Down will also close. Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys TD yesterday said that supports would be put in place for the workers impacted by the decision, which she described as “deeply disappointing”.

“After detailed and careful consideration, the Board of Lakeland Dairies has approved a plan where liquid milk production will transfer from Lakeland Dairies Monaghan to Lakeland Dairies Killeshandra,” said a statement on the co-operative’s website. “All other bulk milk handling activities will transfer to other Lakeland Dairies sites. This will result in the closure of the Monaghan site but not until quarter one 2025 as a major development project will now commence at Lakeland Dairies Killeshandra to process liquid milk there. It is envisaged that, following the ending of production in quarter one 2025, a process to sell the Monaghan site will take place.

“Milk drying facilities at Lough Egish, Co Monaghan will close in June 2024. Milk will continue to be processed at other sites, namely Lakeland Dairies Bailieboro, Killeshandra, Newtownards, Ballyrashane and Artigarvan. “This has no impact on the Lakeland agri-feed and inputs operations at the neighbouring Lough Egish feed mill which will continue to grow and develop. “The Lakeland Dairies site in Banbridge, Co Down, which has acted as a butter churning and packing and powder storage site, with no milk being directly processed there for many years, will close in June 2024. A process to sell the Banbridge…