Protests outside Irish Sugar plants

More than 500 farmers have gathered outside the gates of the Irish Sugar Plant in Carlow town as the bitter row over beet prices continues to threaten its suppliers with closure.

A similar protest is also being held outside the company’s other plant in Mallow in Co Cork.

The Irish Farmers Association says that there is no need for the plants to close down and has called for the management to enter into negotiations over a price increase for the sugar beet.