Meat factories turned down the temperatures over the past week, a number lifting High Court injunctions they had obtained against protesting farmers.

ABP was the first to move. On Thursday, its legal team dropped a permanent injunction it had obtained against seven farmers, after discussions with representatives of the seven in midweek. Two representatives of the farmers, who had protested at Cahir, met two of ABP’s most senior national management team on Tuesday.

On Friday, farmers protesting at the Slaney Foods plant in Clohamon reached agreement with the processor after two days of talks, resulting in injunctions against five farmers being permanently lifted while normal slaughter activity was to resume on Monday.

During the negotiations, the farmer representatives briefed more than 100 protesters at Kilmyshalll Hall, one mile from the factory gates.

Also on Friday, Liffey Meats struck out all existing injunctions in return for protesters allowing refrigerated containers enter and leave the factory.

Farmers protesting outside the gates of Liffey Meats, Ballyjamesduff reached a compromise agreement with management at the facility. No farmer would be pursued for costs or damages.

Liffey Meats would bring in no cattle for the rest of the week.

Moving to this week, on Tuesday C&D Pet Foods at Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, owned by ABP, obtained a temporary injunction preventing protesters from trespassing, unlawfully blockading the plant, and from intimidating customers.