Dublin staff hold talks with Target Express management

Protesting workers at the Mulhuddart plant of haulage firm Target Express have held talks with company management.

The discussions were arranged after gardaí informed a group of employees and sub-contractors they did not have the right to obstruct the entrance to the Dublin facility.

The depot blockade was called off after lunchtime.

Workers claimed they were told by an area manager for Target Express that €154,000 had been set aside in a company bank account to cover wages but that account has also been frozen by the Revenue.

Brendan Sweetman, a driver with the company, said he was facing eviction from his rented Tyrellstown home as a result of losing his job.

“I’m in serious trouble. I’m going to end up homeless,” he said.

He was last paid on the weekend of August 17 and his landlord has threatened not to renew his lease because he has been late with rent on a number of occasions.

“We are blocking the gate. We are not letting anything in or out until we talk to Seamus McBrien or we get our wages,” he said.

A number of haulage and delivery subcontractors, some of whom have not been paid for up to seven weeks, were also involved in the protest.

They claimed senior management asked them to attend the depot today.