MOST of the workers leaving the Key Tronic plant yesterday said they were not surprised at the news from management, but were annoyed at the way the company had handled the announcement. The 391 workers - 355 full time and 36 part time - were asked to meet management yesterday afternoon. Two meetings were arranged at different times to accommodate the various shift workers.

The company had originally planned to make the announcement tomorrow after many months of speculation in the locality. The media coverage given to fears about the plant's future and the raising of the matter in the Dail by local TD Mr Dermot Ahern are believed to have brought the announcement forward.

"I am gutted, just speechless," said one supervisor, who had worked with Key Tronic for 10 1/2 years. "I work here with everyone who is about to be let go... I moved into a new house last year... there are people working here planning to get married", he said.

"We will be phased out by the end of June, only 75 jobs will be left. They also told us a new company is coming in tomorrow," said one woman.

Another woman, Ms Sharon Grimes, said as she left the meeting for day shift workers: "I've been here four years. My mother is at home and very upset, she's here seven years. My brother and uncle work here as well. I am devastated."

There was concern as to what workers would be retained by the company. Workers had been told it would always be based on seniority but say the company said it would give preference to people with specific skills.

Mr Ciaran Casey has been working in Key Tronic since 1988. He said: "The most despicable thing was that the rumours of the last 12 months were concrete and true. But to hear it from outside sources was deplorable."

Ms Catherine Minto has been working there for the last six years and is getting married next year. She put a deposit on a house last Friday. We knew something was coming, but did not think it would be this bad."