Debenhams documentary shows workers fought harder than anyone bargained for

 Carol Ann Bridgeman with her daughter, Charlotte. Carol worked at the Mahon Point store and took part in the sit-in protest. Picture: Larry Cummins

âWe had decided we would be located within the canteen,â Carol Ann recalls. It had running water, electricity, kettles, and equipment, and even had a couch and a TV. Limiting the scope of the occupation meant it was easier to coordinate, even though security and gardaĂ made their presence felt. Getting a supply of food into buildings, dealing with the liquidator KPMG â it took a toll. A âŹ1m offer to workers was rejected as insufficient. Some protesters at the Henry St store in Dublin were arrested, something Carol Ann describes as âheavy-handedâ and âhorribleâ.

The saga continued involving the Workplace Relations Commission, the trade union, the liquidators. Then came the move to break up the pickets, following on from an additional High Court injunction. The store in Blanchardstown was the first to go.
'Asleep at the wheel'
For Fergus, the documentary stands as a testament to the workers. He says that when the film is shown âthere will be tears, anger, laughter - a whole load of emotions.âÂ
Carol Ann agrees. Life has moved on. She is now undertaking a four-year degree course in Social Work at University College Cork, which will host the Cork screening of the film. Plus, she finally got the contents back from her lockers.
"I had to send several emails to fight to get my belongings back,â she says. âIt wasn't what was in them, it was the principle of it.â