Fears for 36 jobs as closure of three Waterford pubs spark sit-ins

Workers at a popular pub in Waterford are staging a sit-in after three bars under the same ownership closed their doors with immediate effect on Monday night.

Thirty-six jobs are expected to be lost with the closures of the Showboat at The Glen; the Mansion House in Johnstown; and the Halfway House, formerly Katie Reilly’s, on the Tramore Rd.

The premises are owned by Tom and Anna Treacy.

Waterford City and County councillor Sean Reinhardt, who was with the Showboat workers for a time yesterday, said: “It’s a big shock to the lot of them; there are lads that have been there for 20 years.”

Staff at the pub were told on Monday night that the businesses were closing imminently, while security workers moved immediately to secure the premises.

Siptu was liaising with workers as they met with the receiver yesterday.

A group of 14 workers at the Showboat began the sit-in protest at that bar on Monday night.

Mr Reinhardt said: “They are going to continue the sit-in for the moment. The public have been great, as they always are in these situations. Shops have dropped in food, sandwiches, and so on.”

A meeting was held between management and workers at the Mansion House and Halfway House pubs yesterday.

The Showboat workers agreed to meet an accountant amid fears that only statutory entitlements will be available, said Sinn Féin councillor John Hearne.

The premises contains a pool and snooker hall, lounge bars, carvery restaurant, and reception rooms.

“The workers are on minimum wages and, as usual, they are being short- changed,” Mr Hearne said.

One customer, Andrew Gray, said: “I was there last night [Monday] and there were people literally in tears; my dad and his mates [have been] drinking there for over 30 years.”