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Hundreds of workers in the midlands face being laid off due to the unlawful blockade of a pet food manufacturing plant, the High Court heard on Tuesday.
The blockade of the C&D Pet Foods at Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, is being maintained by protesters, who since the weekend have been physically obstructing the plant's entrance, the court heard.
The company claims that if the protesters, who include a local Fine Gael Councillor, continue the blockade, it could result in more than 500 workers in the locality being laid off in the coming days.
C&D is owned by the ABP Food Group, which is one of Ireland's largest beef processors.
'Tactically targeted'
C&D claims that despite the fact it plays no part in determining prices paid for beef, as it mainly uses pork and chicken in its products, it has been "tactically targeted by protesters purely on the basis that it is part of the ABP group".
At the High Court on Tuesday, Mr Justice Garrett Simons granted C&D Foods unlimited a temporary injunction preventing protesters from trespassing, unlawfully blockading the plant, and from intimidating individuals going to and from the plant.
The action is against two named defendants, Cllr Paraic Brady of The Meadows, Drumlish, Co Longford, and Colm Leonard of Aughanoran Dring, Co Longford.
The injunctions also apply to anyone else who has knowledge of the orders.
The court heard that the two named defendants are the only protesters C&D has been able to identify, but others are involved.
The injunction was granted on an ex-parte basis and will return before the court on Friday 13 September.
Peaceful protest
Seeking the order, Brian O'Moore SC for C&D said his client does not wish to halt any peaceful or lawful protest outside the plant but said that since Saturday evening the defendants and others have gone beyond a legitimate peaceful protest.
Since the blockade began, trucks trying to make deliveries from the plant have been prevented from freely entering or leaving the plant, counsel said.
Mr Leonard, counsel said, was verbally abusive towards C&D's staff and shouted "f*ck you" and "f*ck your team" at them
Counsel said protesters have maintained the blockade by walking in continuous circles around trucks trying to leave or enter the plant, and have trespassed on C&D's premises.
Deliveries have had to be cancelled, counsel said, adding that the firm's staff have been subjected to threatening and abusive language from the protesters.
Fine Gael
Mr O'Moore said Cllr Brady, a member of Fine Gael, told senior staff members of C&D that no product would be allowed in or out of the site until the dispute over beef prices was resolved.
Counsel said he also told them he was instructed not to let any trucks out of the plant, but would not say who gave him the instructions, and also threatened to have "300 additional men" to join the protest if a truck attempted to exit the plant.
Mr Leonard, counsel said, was verbally abusive towards C&D's staff and shouted "f*ck you" and "f*ck your team" at them in an aggressive manner.
A nearby packaging business is also affected by the protest, counsel added.
This has caused major disruption to the firm's business and that only two of its eight production lines are currently operating. This has resulted in a loss in revenue of €400,000.
Layoffs
Counsel said that if the unlawful activity continues it will have to temporarily lay off hundreds of workers at the plant on Wednesday 11 September, as its stocks have been exhausted.
This will cause severe damage to the firm's credibility and puts its international markets at risk, counsel said.
If the blockade is not stopped then the employment of more workers in the area will also be put at risk, the court heard.
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