An Athlone-based medical supplies firm is to cut 165 jobs, it emerged today.
Conor Medsystems, which was bought in February by Johnson and Johnson, had given staff paid leave two weeks ago when a company product was taken off the market outside the United States.
The drug-coated coronary stent, the CoStar II, was taken off the market earlier this month after it failed to meet clinical goals in trials.
"We very much regret the potential impact of this decision on our staff and their families," said Jeff Tillack, vice president of operations for Conor Medsystems. He praised the efforts of staff since the firm opened in 1999.
Conor Medsystems has pledged a programme to help employees to find alternative employment if the facility closes.
Local Fine Gael TD Denis Naughten said workers had told him the jobs were to go by June 22nd.
"The decision by Conor Medsystems to close its operation in Athlone from 22nd June next will not only have a huge impact on the employees and their families, but also on the objective of promoting the midlands as a hub for the medical device industry," he said.