Over 200 people will lose their jobs in Clonmel in Co. Tipperary.
The medical device manufacturer Abbott is asking for 206 voluntary redundancies from staff and will not renew some contractor positions.
The Clonmel plant currently employs 1,400 people.
In a statement the company says the reason they are laying off staff is to focus on newer, more advanced medical devices for the treatment of coronary heart disease.
Staff 'not surprised' by cuts
Abbott currently employs 3,200 people at 11 sites across Ireland.
Staff were called to a meeting by management at the plant on just before 4pm this afternoon.
The cuts will be implemented by the end of March.
Staff say there were not surprised by the announcement but were saddened to hear of the extent of job losses.
They are now being offered 6 weeks statutory redundancy.
