It was a case of déjà-vu as over 180 farmers from Limerick and Kerry gathered outside the ABP factory in Rathkeale to vent their frustration at unacceptable beef prices.

The barrels ablaze with a bag of coal each radiated heat but were hardly needed on the balmy evening.

What went down very well, though, was Josie Ahern’s pop-up kitchen with copious amounts of tea and coffee being served from her two-ring gas stove.

There were enough buns, biscuits and sandwiches to feed an army and those who lasted into the early hours were treated to breakfast rolls.

What was different this time was how technology had changed. Almost everyone had a smartphone and people were taking selfies and following events on facebook and twitter. Now there are three words that didn’t even exist 15 years ago. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for bad cattle prices.