Beef Plan Movement protesters are being warned not to react to what its co-chair Hugh Doyle described as deliberate goading.
In a video message to farmers on Sunday morning, Beef Plan Movement co-chair Hugh Doyle said there had been a “sea change in the tact regarding the various factories we are picketing at”.
“They are deliberately trying to goad us into doing something that they can gain evidence in order that they will be able to injunct us at a later stage, so I am appealing to all farmers that are at these pickets – obey the guidelines, listen to your stewards, don’t allow yourself to be goaded into doing something that can cripple the success that we’ve had so far.”
Don’t allow yourself to be goaded into doing something that could end the whole protest
Doyle claimed that there was a 27% drop in national kill last week as a result of the Beef Plan Movement protests, and that 70% or more of farmers are not bringing their cattle to factories. He also said that factories are eating into their feedlot supplies.
“Stand with us, we will re-strategise, don’t allow yourself to be goaded into doing something that could end the whole protest,” he urged protesters.
Lost their cool
The Beef Plan Movement’s southwest chair Dermot O’Brien told the Irish Farmers Journal that farmers have been hurt and injured in the last few days.
“A small minority of lorries have lost their cool, driving at speed at farmers and this is completely unacceptable,” O’Brien said.
“Factory management must ensure drivers working under their influence approach and depart in a safe manner.
“Lorry drivers, agents and dealers are asked to respect the farmers’ peaceful protest and if approaching or departing factories, you do so with due care and caution and we ask that you do not pass a farmers’ peaceful protest,” he said. “There is a long tradition in this country that people do not cross a protest.”
O’Brien told the Irish Farmers Journal that a van entering ABP Bandon on Sunday morning “just drove in at high speed, with not a care in the world about who was on the line”.
A photo taken after the incident appears to show barriers and chairs knocked to the ground at the factory entrance.
A Garda spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal: “Gardaí are aware of an incident that occurred at a premises in Bandon, Co Cork, this morning Sunday 4 August 2019.
“Enquiries are ongoing,” he said.
ABP Bandon protest
O’Brien described Rathkeale, where a protest is ongoing outside the ABP factory as “a black spot. Huge threat to personal safety here.”
He added that “Slane has been difficult. Bandon is also a hotspot. Cahir is being very well managed.”
If someone gets killed, it will be a tragedy
The Kerry man commended gardaí for “for the incredible job that they have done to try and keep sites trouble-free.
“They are mindful of the health and safety issues and are endeavouring to keep people safe, which is the most important aspect of the protest. If someone gets killed, it will be a tragedy.”
He added: “The factory management at each plant has to give clear direction to their suppliers to slow down, show respect and engage respectfully at each picket line. Nobody will be prevented from entry under the auspices of the Beef Plan Movement.”
Slane injured man
In the video posted to Beef Plan groups on Sunday morning, Hugh Doyle said that the man injured earlier this week in an incident outside Dawn Meats in Slane, Co Meath, had suffered multiple injuries.
“Our man in Slane, the farmer who got injured, his hip was broken in two places, a broken shoulder, two broken ribs on both sides and the first thing he said when he woke up was ‘You’ve got to keep the fight going’ – that is the passion we need - but it’s got to be legal guys,” said Doyle.
“That’s the passion we need but we need to control the passion, please obey the guidelines, listen to your stewards, and we will win the war. We might lose the odd battle but we will win the war.”
The protest is back up and running at Dawn Meats in Slane, Co Meath. It was suspended “as a mark of respect” on Friday when the man was injured, according to Beef Plan Movement co-chair Eamon Corley.
ABP Waterford
It is understood that seven lorries delivering cattle to ABP Waterford on Sunday morning turned away after talks with the Beef Plan Movement and gardaí at the factory gates.
Meat Industry Ireland has been contacted for comment.
Read more
Beef Plan protests: factory by factory update
Beef Plan ‘will not enter negotiations with preconditions’
‘Unacceptable abuse and intimidation of fellow farmer suppliers’ – factories
Transparency is key to farmer confidence
Beef Plan Movement protesters are being warned not to react to what its co-chair Hugh Doyle described as deliberate goading.
In a video message to farmers on Sunday morning, Beef Plan Movement co-chair Hugh Doyle said there had been a “sea change in the tact regarding the various factories we are picketing at”.
“They are deliberately trying to goad us into doing something that they can gain evidence in order that they will be able to injunct us at a later stage, so I am appealing to all farmers that are at these pickets – obey the guidelines, listen to your stewards, don’t allow yourself to be goaded into doing something that can cripple the success that we’ve had so far.”
Don’t allow yourself to be goaded into doing something that could end the whole protest
Doyle claimed that there was a 27% drop in national kill last week as a result of the Beef Plan Movement protests, and that 70% or more of farmers are not bringing their cattle to factories. He also said that factories are eating into their feedlot supplies.
“Stand with us, we will re-strategise, don’t allow yourself to be goaded into doing something that could end the whole protest,” he urged protesters.
Lost their cool
The Beef Plan Movement’s southwest chair Dermot O’Brien told the Irish Farmers Journal that farmers have been hurt and injured in the last few days.
“A small minority of lorries have lost their cool, driving at speed at farmers and this is completely unacceptable,” O’Brien said.
“Factory management must ensure drivers working under their influence approach and depart in a safe manner.
“Lorry drivers, agents and dealers are asked to respect the farmers’ peaceful protest and if approaching or departing factories, you do so with due care and caution and we ask that you do not pass a farmers’ peaceful protest,” he said. “There is a long tradition in this country that people do not cross a protest.”
O’Brien told the Irish Farmers Journal that a van entering ABP Bandon on Sunday morning “just drove in at high speed, with not a care in the world about who was on the line”.
A photo taken after the incident appears to show barriers and chairs knocked to the ground at the factory entrance.
A Garda spokesperson told the Irish Farmers Journal: “Gardaí are aware of an incident that occurred at a premises in Bandon, Co Cork, this morning Sunday 4 August 2019.
“Enquiries are ongoing,” he said.
ABP Bandon protest
O’Brien described Rathkeale, where a protest is ongoing outside the ABP factory as “a black spot. Huge threat to personal safety here.”
He added that “Slane has been difficult. Bandon is also a hotspot. Cahir is being very well managed.”
If someone gets killed, it will be a tragedy
The Kerry man commended gardaí for “for the incredible job that they have done to try and keep sites trouble-free.
“They are mindful of the health and safety issues and are endeavouring to keep people safe, which is the most important aspect of the protest. If someone gets killed, it will be a tragedy.”
He added: “The factory management at each plant has to give clear direction to their suppliers to slow down, show respect and engage respectfully at each picket line. Nobody will be prevented from entry under the auspices of the Beef Plan Movement.”
Slane injured man
In the video posted to Beef Plan groups on Sunday morning, Hugh Doyle said that the man injured earlier this week in an incident outside Dawn Meats in Slane, Co Meath, had suffered multiple injuries.
“Our man in Slane, the farmer who got injured, his hip was broken in two places, a broken shoulder, two broken ribs on both sides and the first thing he said when he woke up was ‘You’ve got to keep the fight going’ – that is the passion we need - but it’s got to be legal guys,” said Doyle.
“That’s the passion we need but we need to control the passion, please obey the guidelines, listen to your stewards, and we will win the war. We might lose the odd battle but we will win the war.”
The protest is back up and running at Dawn Meats in Slane, Co Meath. It was suspended “as a mark of respect” on Friday when the man was injured, according to Beef Plan Movement co-chair Eamon Corley.
ABP Waterford
It is understood that seven lorries delivering cattle to ABP Waterford on Sunday morning turned away after talks with the Beef Plan Movement and gardaí at the factory gates.
Meat Industry Ireland has been contacted for comment.
Read more
Beef Plan protests: factory by factory update
Beef Plan ‘will not enter negotiations with preconditions’
‘Unacceptable abuse and intimidation of fellow farmer suppliers’ – factories
Transparency is key to farmer confidence
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