Bricklayers jailed over site protest

Three out of work bricklayers were today jailed for their part in a protest against a Dublin building firm which they claim refuses to employ local workers.

Billy McClurg, Keith Kelly and Andrew Clarke were imprisoned for the weekend after admitting their roles in an ongoing community protest at a site in Ballybrack.

All three told Dublin’s High Court they would return to the picket line following the hearing, despite an official warning from trade union bosses, to desist from any action on the site.

Sentencing the men for contempt, Justice Mary Laffoy ordered them to reappear before the court on Monday morning.

McClurg, 50 of Sallynoggin, Kelly, 36 and Clarke, 24, both of Ballybrack, have been unemployed since November.

They began their protest last Thursday at the Laurel Avenue site amid claims that Collen Construction and its subcontractors refused to employ workers from the local area and trade union members.

The construction company is building 70 new homes for Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

Senior Counsel, Roddy Horan, representing Collen said ‘mob rule’ was running Ballybrack with workers being threatened and abused by the protesters.

He added that the site will be closing next week because of public safety concerns.

Refuting the allegations, Mr McClurg denied any bricklayers were threatened.

He added he and his co-accused only wanted the chance to work on the site.

Members of their families shouted from the public gallery as the three were led away.