Major manufacturer Kostal to temporarily shut Cork and Limerick plants

Kostal, which operates major plants in Mallow in Cork and Abbeyfeale in Limerick, is set to close the two facilities until April 27.

Kostal is a leading producer of electronic and mechanical components for the automotive sector.

The final shift at the plants will conclude at 8am on Wednesday. It is understood the decision followed the widespread shutdown of major car production plants in the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain because of the Covid-19 crisis.

It is one of the largest employers in Munster - and the dominant employer in both the Mallow and Abbeyfeale areas.

Kostal Ireland currently has 1,038 employees with 693 employees at Abbeyfeale and 345 in its Mallow plant.

In a statement, the company said:

"This is a most regrettable but necessary course of action under the circumstances brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic which has presented us with serious challenges in meeting public safety directives around social distancing, given the numbers of employees on site. The safety and welfare of our workforce is paramount."