Dublin Port picket controversy resolved

Proceedings to have striking workers at a company that operates port facilities at Dublin Port jailed for allegedly breaking the terms of a High Court order have been resolved.

The workers, who are mainly members of SIPTU trade union are in dispute with the firm regarding compulsory redundancies on staff and reduced pay and conditions for remaining employees have been on strike since early July.

Today the High Court was due to hear a motion for the attachment and committal of approximately 10 workers for alleged breaches of an injunction obtained in early July by Marine Terminals Limited following a decision to place a picket outside its cargo terminal.

The terms of that injunction were that the workers could only picket at the company's cargo terminal at South Bank Quay, Pigeon House Road, Ringsend Dublin 4 in a peaceful manner, and could only communicate information or peacefully persuading any person to abstain from work.

However the company claimed that the terms of that injunction which prevents picketers from obstructing vehicles entering or leaving its cargo terminal had been breached.

As a result it was claimed that a number of workers were in contempt of the High Court order granted by Mr Justice Liam McKechnie. Those claims were denied.

Following talks between the respective sides, Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan was informed that the parties had come to an arrangement in relation to the contempt of court proceedings.

Shane Murphy SC for the company said it was agreed that the defendants and their agents would be restrained from picketing the company's cargo terminal in a manner which directly obstructs vehicles seeking access to and egress from the Marine Terminal's facility.

A rally in support of the workers was held outside the High Court.