Shock and disbelief were the main reactions from staff in Gateway 2000 as the early-morning rumours of possible job losses turned into reality later in the day.

With management refusing to allow members of the media on to the premises to talk to workers and with uncertainty surrounding where the job cuts would fall, it was not surprising that most staff were unwilling to comment on the day's events.

At the main gate to the massive plant in Clonshaugh in Dublin, where we waited after being escorted from the premises by security officials, workers leaving at 3.30 p.m. had little to say.

"I can't comment," said one. "We've been told not to talk. But we probably only know as much as you do."

For most, the news had yet to sink in. "It's a sudden shock. I haven't really had time to think about it," one young worker told The Irish Times.

Another talked about having received a very good bonus in the third quarter of 2000, adding to the shock of yesterday's announcement.

However, one employee said he had noticed a slowdown in production over the past number of months. "The work has been dying down for a while, so I think this was bound to happen," he said.

Uncertainty was the order of the day, with many workers saying they would not know their fates until next week.

"We'll have to wait to see what happens. We've been told the company has performed badly in the last quarter and there will be cutbacks, but they don't know as yet where they're going to be. Everyone's jobs are on the line.

"They're sending the sales team off to find out the forecast for 2001 and, realistically, they'll know better then in what areas the jobs will go. We won't know until next week," said another employee.

"We haven't really been told anything," said one young man. "I don't think they know themselves. We've just been told they will have to restructure the business before they know where they will lay off staff."

Management told staff that the company would help those laid off to find employment in other companies, the only item of good news in what was otherwise a very bleak day for Gateway's staff.

"They're going to look after us in that respect. They said they're going to do what they can to set up interviews," said one man,

However, some were more resigned to the situation.

"We're very disappointed but it's out of our hands. There's nothing we can do," said one woman. "I don't really give a damn," one young man said.