This is a subscriber-only article
An Garda Síochána appear to have increased their numbers on picket lines outside beef factories across the country.
Gardaí were present overnight at a protest in ABP Cahir, while on Wednesday morning gardaí held protesters back at Meadow Meats in Rathdowney to allow lorries to enter.
Farmers appear to be undeterred by the garda presence, and the threat of injunctions, as more protesters join the ranks.
Farmers this morning began protesting outside Kildare Chilling. Protests were already under way at ABP Ferrybank and Dawn Grannagh in Waterford, Meadow Meats, ABP Bandon, ABP Cahir, Liffey Meats, Slaney Meats in Wexford and Kepak in Ennis.
The protests are farmer-lead and the Beef Plan Movement has threatened to expel members who attend protests.
Injuction
The Beef Plan Movement made this announcement after it was reported that ABP and Dawn Meats were granted a High Court injunction yesterday to restrain protesters from blockading factories.
The beef factories cited the damaging impact protesters could have during a planned visit from Chinese beef inspectors this week as part of the reason to attain an injunction.
The injunction included a named list of certain individual farmers.
However, farmers at the pickets appear determined to stand their ground until concessions are made by the beef industry.
Meat Industry Ireland's senior director Cormac Healy, told RTÉ on Wednesday morning that the factories would refuse to engage with protesters until they left the picket lines.
SHARING OPTIONS: