Angry farmers ‘could turn to violence unless they are paid’

FRUSTRATED farmers, owed more than €3.5m following the collapse of a meat factory, could resort to violence unless they are paid, a prominent IFA member warned yesterday.

Some of the 300-plus farmer creditors of Tralee Beef and Lamb are facing ruin, he claimed, yesterday. Former IFA national council member for Kerry, Phil Healy, said farmers still had received no payment since the factory closed last October, though banks had got paid.

“At this stage, it’s a human rights issue. If farmers can’t get social justice through the accepted channels, they could turn to violence. That’s how desperate and serious they feel about the situation. Some are going to be put out of business if they don’t get paid,’’ he added.