An early morning blaze has practically destroyed Glanbia Meats factory at Edenderry in Co Offaly.
Production at the plant has been suspended after the fire, which broke out shortly before 6am, ripped through the factory.
Several units of the fire brigade from Tullamore and surrounding areas fought to bring the flames under control.
Around 280 people are employed at the pig meat processing plant, which will not return to production for some time. "The fire has been devastating and the plant is practically destroyed," said Glanbia spokeswoman Geraldine Kearney.
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"Certainly, given the scale of the damage we would envisage having processing done elsewhere in the short and immediate term.
"We are working on contingency plans at the moment."