Blocklayer’s claim against trade union upheld

The Building and Allied Trades Union (BATU) breached the constitutional right to work of a Limerick blocklayer because it would not permit him to join, the Court of Appeal has ruled.

The three-judge court also directed a High Court hearing take place to determine John O’Connell’s damages claim over that breach.

However, in a judgment delivered by Mr Justice Michael Peart yesterday,it overturned a High Court finding the union, and some of its officials, intimidated and conspired against Mr O’Connell and held he was not entitled to damages.