VIDEO: ‘They thought we’d back down, but we didn’t’ - Dunnes Stores workers

Apart from a couple of workers dolefully scrubbing shelves, and a few bemused tourists wandering deserted aisles, the scene in many a Dunnes Stores yesterday was one of complete and utter emptiness.

Anyone who did pass the picket line could be found skulking around the shelves, while workers at a loose end huddled together to talk about their comrades on the street outside.

The atmosphere beyond the walls was a different matter — placard-wearing workers paced back and forth on the pavement, passers-by willingly distributed words of encouragement, and lines of cars beeped their horns in support.