THERE'S A MAJOR JOBS BLOW THIS EVENING FOR CARRICK ON SHANNON IN COUNTY LEITRIM.

 FOLLOWING MONTHS OF UNCERTAINTY FOR WORKERS AT MBNA, BANK OF AMERICA HAS ANNOUNCED THAT 100 JOBS ARE TO GO AT ITS CREDIT CARD DIVISION.

THE COMPANY SAYS THAT WHERE POSSIBLE, THE REDUCTIONS WILL BE MADE THROUGH A VOLUNTARY REDUNDANCY PROGRAMME.

IN AUGUST THE BANK SAID THAT IT WAS SELLING ITS CREDIT CARD BUSINESS IN IRELAND AND THE UK, PROMPTING FEARS FOR THE FUTURE OF ITS 750 EMPLOYEES.

 TODAY THE BANK ANNOUNCED THAT A TOTAL OF 250 JOBS ARE TO BE LOST ACROSS THE EUROPE CARD BUSINESS - 100 OF THESE POSITIONS ARE IN CARRICK ON SHANNON WITH A FURTHER 150 IN THE UK

ITS UNDERSTOOD NEGOTIATIONS ARE CONTINUING INTO TRYING TO FIND A SUITABLE BUYER FOR THE MBNA BUSINESS AND SAVE THE REMAINING 650 JOBS IN CARRICK ON SHANNON.

ROSCOMMON-SOUTH LEITRIM TD FRANK FEIGHAN HAS EXPRESSED HOPE THAT A BUYER WILL BE FOUND FOR MBNA, TO SAVE THE REMAINDER OF THE JOBS.

HE SAYS THE GOVT IS EMPLOYING ALL RESOURCES AT ITS DISPOSAL TO HELP BRING IN A BUYER FOR MBNA AS A GOING CONCERN.