For a plant which never had a strike or a work stoppage in its 12 years, workers were surprised to hear Thermo King at Blanchardstown is to close. Although management announced plans to rationalise two months ago, most workers assumed plants in other parts of Europe would go.
"We thought we were the best plant in the company. We were flagged as the flagship plant," said Mr Tony Harte, a supervisor who has been with the company 11 years.
Workers were told of the closure at 2 p.m. and most chose to go home to come to terms with the decision.
Mr Martin Hennessey, also a supervisor with Thermo King for six years, said people had not expected the announcement. "People were upset, some of the girls were very upset. A lot of people have bought new houses and have loans," he said.
"For the past 12 years the company has made millions. Now they just announce a decision from faceless people in America. We were promised a future," said Mr Gerry O'Driscoll, who has been with the company for six years.
Members of the same families worked together in the company and a social club meant other workers became friends, Mr Fran Waldron said.
"I'm dejected. It's very sad for it to close. I've made a lot of friends," said Mr Hugh O'Connor.
Mr Dave Green, a union representative, said there was a low turn-over rate in the company. "People tended to stay and twelve years is a lot of time and effort to give a company," he said.
"It's a difficult situation to have to come out and face 260 people and tell them their jobs are gone," he added.
The closure would be a blow to the area, as many people lived locally, Mr Colm Burke said.
Mr Heart said there was a good percentage of people in the company over the age of 50 who might have a problem getting work elsewhere. "It will be a big problem for those people. We alright we're young enough," he said.
Some workers were disappointed management had no details worked out of severance packages before yesterday's announcement. However, management said talks would begin on Monday on redundancy packages.