About 16 cleaners and a SIPTU official were restrained by a temporary High Court order yesterday from picketing Brú Chaoimhim, which is an older persons' care unit run by the South Western Area Health Board at Cork Street, Dublin.
Mr Roddy Horan, for the health board, read an affidavit by Mr Brian Burke, general manager of the Dublin south city community services, who said the 14 female cleaners worked for Group 4 cleaning at Brú Chaoimhin for 12 years.
Earlier this month the contract was awarded to another company.
Mr Burke said he had written confirmation that the women remained in Group 4's employ.
He was told by Ms Marian Bennett, the nursing director at the care centre that on July 12th some of the former cleaners walked into the main building and went to the residents' area.
She asked SIPTU official, Mr Jimmy Somers, to contain the protest outside the premises. Ms Bennett alleged Mr Somers said he would go where he wished.
Mr Burke said that a worker in the care centre was called a scab when coming into the centre and gardaí who arrived were told that it was an official trade dispute.
Visitors were stopped entering the premises.
Mr Burke said that the cleaners were not employees of the health board. Mr Justice Peter Kelly granted an interim injunction to continue to Friday next.
The injunction restrains the cleaners and Mr Somers from picketing or interfering with people leaving and entering the care centre.