390 jobs to go at haulage firm

Published Tuesday, 28 August 2012
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One of Ireland's largest haulage firms, Target Express, has ceased trading with the loss of nearly 400 jobs.

390 jobs to go at haulage firm
Target Express was the main sponsor of Tyrone GAA between 2009-2012. (© Presseye)

The business was started by Co Fermanagh man Seamus McBrien, and had depots across Northern Ireland, the Republic, and England.

Target Express has been the main sponsor of Tyrone GAA since February 2009, and provided a "generous six figure sum for the preparation of county teams every year".

The announcement that 390 jobs could go at the firm means the sponsorship has come to an end.

"Our thoughts are with the hundreds of people who are about to lose their jobs throughout Ireland and the management of the company.

"These job losses will impact on people within our own county," said a spokesperson for Tyrone GAA County Board, before adding they were confident a new sponsorship would be in place by Christmas.

Target Express won distributing company of the year last November and held several large contracts, including with the clothes store A-Wear.

Sean Lynch, Sinn Féin MLA for Fermanagh South Tyrone, the issue is a "major blow".

"This is a major blow to the local economy as the company has depots in Lisnaskea and Clones and my thoughts are with the workers and their families at this time.

"The loss of 50 plus jobs locally is another blow to an area which has lost a lot of jobs over the years and is still trying to recover from years of neglect by successive British and Irish Governments.

"Many of these people will have mortgages and direct debits affected and I would ask the local banks in particular to be sympathetic to their plight."

Mr McBrien revealed the firm has paid €1 million to Revenue Commissioners in the last six weeks.

© UTV News
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2 Comments
brendan in antrim wrote (264 days ago):
As someone with 12 years service with Target Express in Crumlin.I am so downhearted by the deafening silence from Stormont and our Mps.Why have none came to the aid of the workers who have morgages and other bills to pay.also what about the small business owed money i saw a lady in tears today but no one seems to care
norman.d in bangor wrote (264 days ago):
more jobs lost and this executive would rather fight over flags and marches instead of trying to bring jobs to this province with unemployment rising they should come back from their holidays for crisis meetings over our economy
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