Pet food plant tells court beef protest blockade could lead to 500 staff being temporarily laid off

Hundreds of workers in the Midlands face being laid off due to the unlawful blockade of a pet food manufacturing plant, the High Court has heard.

The blockade of the C&D Pet Foods at Edgeworthstown Co Longford is being maintained by protesters, who since the weekend have been physically obstructing the plant's entrance, in support of farmers involved in the on-going dispute with meat processors over the price of beef.