38 people are set to lose their jobs in Ballagahderreen and face redundancy next month, with the proposed closure of a longstanding cigar factory in the town.

Exclusive Cigar Manufacturers Ireland, one of the biggest employers in west Roscommon, told Jobs Minister Mary Mitchell-O’Connor and employees today it intends shutting its plant.

In a statement to Midwest News this afternoon, the company said it intends to engage in consultation with staff to explore any alternatives to the proposed closure, before issuing redundancy notifications from 15 May to all staff at the plant.

The news has been met with deep devastation across the region and local Fine Gael Senator Maura Hopkins says she will work closely with the jobs minister to see if there is any way of a successful outcome from all of this.