Diageo is set to cut almost a third of the workforce at its St James’s Gate brewery in Dublin.

The company’s Irish unit confirmed to just-drinks today (1 February) that it advised the 223 employees at the facility, which brews Diageo’s Guinness brand, of the situation late last week. A total of 68 jobs are expected to go at the site.

“We will now enter into consultation on these changes with our brewery employees and their representatives,” Diageo said. “It is anticipated that the required redundancies will be achieved through a voluntary severance programme.”

Across its brewing, production, sales commercial offices and support functions, Diageo Ireland has 2,100 employees.

Diageo has had of late a tough time in Ireland, like many companies operating in the country. Ireland was the first EU country to officially slip into recession in 2008.

In June last year, Diageo said it would cut 107 jobs in Ireland, the majority of which occurred at the St James’s Gate site.

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Then, in January last year, the drinks giant temporarily shelved its plans to build a EUR650m (US$843m) Guinness brewery in Leixlip, Co. Kildare, initially announced in September 2008.

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