The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
IN recent years one of the most prominent outlets in Shannon Town Centre was the Iceland store, but it closed its doors yesterday, despite workers not having received notice.
The shutters were down at the shop this morning and a typed notice displayed on them read, “Unfortunately Iceland Shannon has been closed and staff temporarily laid off as of today 07-09-23.
“Sorry for any inconvenience caused. We would like to thank everyone for their continued support throughout the years.”
Other Iceland stores across the country also closed yesterday and the Independent Workers Union issued a scathing statement, claiming that the company had not given its employees any warning.
“Today, all remaining Iceland Stores across the Republic of Ireland, have been closed. The workers were given no notice of closure, and were told via phone call to “vacate the premises and collect all personal belongings”. They have now been placed on “temporary” lay-off, alongside their colleagues who have also been on lay-off since these closures began.
“It has been confirmed that the Examinership overseeing Metron Stores Ltd. has ceased, and by order of the High Court, JW Accountants have been appointed as the Liquidator of the company. Throughout this process, our members have been entirely disregarded and disrespected by the company, which has ignored requests from the IWU and the Examiner to honour basic entitlements.
“Wages are still unpaid, annual leave and sick pay is still owed, and redundancies are only now being processed following weeks of bogus lay-off.
“With the company now in liquidation, it has absconded all responsibility towards its workers, and has left the state-appointed liquidator to clear up its mess. It is clear that this has been the company’s intention for some time. This type of behaviour by employers in Ireland is entirely facilitated and encouraged by current legislation.
“We will continue to engage with the Liquidator to insure that all monies owed to our members are paid in full.”
Owen Ryan
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked for a number of other regional titles in Limerick, Galway and Cork.
