IRELAND &#8211, Food manufacturer Kerry Group is to close its Dawn Dairies liquid milk production plant in Moate, County Westmeath, in the second phase of a rationalisation programme.

Production ceases in April and will be transferred to dairies in Limerick and Galway. The closure takes the number of Dawn Dairies sites from four down to three.

Of the 82 staff currently employed at the factory only 20 will remain, these being in sales, distribution and milk collection. Alternative employment is being sought for the remaining 62.

Phase one of the company’s reorganisation programme began in November last year with the sale of the Ballinahina plant in Cork.

Dawn Dairies manufactures, markets and distributes a range of dairy products including brand leaders &#8211, such as Low Low, Kerrymaid and Move Over Butter &#8211, in the Irish market.