More than 50,000 aim protest at Irish Ferries

MORE THAN 50,000 workers are expected to take part in Friday’s national day of protest, causing considerable disruption to public services and businesses across the country.

With little prospect of a resolution to the Irish Ferries dispute, unions are confident that simultaneous marches scheduled for Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Rosslare Harbour, Athlone, Sligo and Waterford will be the largest trade union demonstration of recent times.

However, with concern over school closures mounting, Education Minister Mary Hanafin issued a stern warning that those who leave their posts will have wages docked.