LIMERICK City and County Council is close to sealing the deal on the acquisition of the former Andersen Ireland site in Rathkeale.
The liquidator has agreed to sell the factory to the local authority and, according to a Council spokesperson, discussions “are at an advanced stage”.
“Limerick City and County Council has for some time been in discussions to acquire the former Anderson building and site in Rathkeale. Theses discussions are now at an advanced stage and it is hoped that final agreement will be reached shortly.”
The spokesperson continued: “The local authority has the full support of local councillors in the area to purchase the site as part of its economic development role to attract and encourage investment when the opportunity arises, particularly in this part of West Limerick.”
Limerick TD Niall Collins welcomed the news and said: “It is imperative in order to create replacement jobs in Rathkeale that this building and grounds be purchased by the State and managed in a manner that will be a success for the community.”
The Fianna Fáil Deputy added: “Rathkeale has over the years seen too much good property fall into the hands of owners who are happy to leave lie idle and derelict. Too often in the past the Council has failed to act and purchase key strategic sites in the town, which now are idle and derelict and create a negative impact on business and people’s residential amenity.”
The price of the property has not yet been disclosed.
Andersen Ireland, which manufactured costume jewellery, closed in September 2013 with the loss of 170 jobs.
