Concern at closure of haulage depot

The haulage firm that ceased trading this week is part of a firm owned by Seamus McBrien that employs 390 staff throughout Ireland, and part of one of Ireland’s largest privately-owned transport companies.

Target Express was started by County Fermanagh man Mr McBrien, with depots throughout Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and England.

Mervyn Rea, said that he hoped that the jobs would be saved if another haulage firm took it over.

“It is not clear whether the firm will be taken over or not,“ said Mr Rea. “I drove past the depot the day they had made the announcement and saw cars outside the premises. When I drove past an hour later the cars were away. I spoke to a security guard and tried several times to speak to someone in management but to no avail.

“I don’t know what the legalities are. From what I was made to believe the owner was in negotiations with the Inland Revenue with a view to pay the rest by the end of September. It seems so unfair that all the depots have closed and jobs have been lost.

“What happens to all the goods that are sitting in transit at the depot in Nutts Corner. I am sure there must be thousands of pounds worth of goods in transit. What happens to customers who have used Target Express and are waiting for a piece of machinery for their car or goods for their computer how are they left?

“It is not as though workers even got three months notice. They literally lost their jobs overnight.”

A spokesman for the workers said they only became aware of the company’s financial situation last week.

“We knew something was in the pipeline when our wages were not paid Saturday but we gave them the benefit of the doubt, then out of nowhere we hear on the news they are in talks with Inland Revenue,” he said.

“We were given no indication from management that something was going on and we have not heard anything yet from the owner.”

It is understood the Revenue Commissioners in the Irish Republic placed attachments on the company’s bank accounts last Friday. Despite ongoing negotiations, the issues could not be resolved.

The company’s management expressed its “deep regret” at the decision to cease trading, and thanked staff and customers for their support over the past 24 years.

Target has been the main sponsor of the Tyrone Gaelic football team, which said it thanked the company for its support over the last three years.