‘We have our first baby coming... this came completely out of the blue’

The closure of Corrigan’s Londis last week came as a shock to 22 members of staff who are now left in limbo on what the future holds for them.

Gary Doran from Kilmuckridge (33) has worked in the supermarket for 11 years as a butcher.

With his partner due to give birth to their first child in two and a half weeks, the news of a ‘ temporary layoff ’ couldn’t have come at a worse time.

‘In two and a half weeks we will have our first baby and there is very little money coming in and a big mortgage there,’ said Gary. ‘ This came completely out of the blue for me. I was getting ready for Christmas. I’m going to have a family and I have no work now.’

The shop’s closure has also had a big effect on the local community, according to Gary, who said that locals are feeling the hit.

‘We do meals on wheels for four parishes which is a big thing,’ he said. ‘ This is a big loss to them. It’s extremely damaging for the community.’

Monamolin resident Nicola Murphy (34) had worked in the shop for 12 years prior to last Wednesday. Though she said she is trying to stay positive, she said their situation is very tough.

‘It did come as a shock. I live with my dad but I still have bills to pay,’ she said. ‘I’m trying to stay positive. We are still outside the shop now just to let people know that we are still here.’

‘ The customers have been absolutely fantastic with their support. We couldn’t ask for better.’

News of the shop’s closure was broken to Mary Ryan (52) by a colleague while she was on her day off. The single mother of two said that she is ‘in total shock’ about what happened.

‘ To be honest, we are up in the air,’ she said. ‘It’s not a good situation to be in. I’m a single parent with bills to pay.’

‘At my age, where am I going to find another job?’ she continued. ‘Hopefully we will be back in next week. We just have to wait and see.’