Children in care of the HSE at at childcare centre in Co Louth may have to be relocated because of a picket by a builder, a judge has heard.
Barrister Aaron Shearer told Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin in the Circuit Civil Court that Colm Brady, of Scholars Walk, Lusk Village, Lusk, Co Dublin, had been mounting almost daily unlawful protests on the Haven Childcare Centre at Ballymakenny since mid-January.
He said Mr Brady claimed he had not been fully paid for work he had carried out at the home of Rose Bentley, owner of home at Ballymakenny and another children’s home in Collon, Co Louth.
Ms Bentley, of Copse Edge, Daly’s Cross, Collon, said in an affidavit that Mr Brady had been picketing the Ballymakenny home. “His conduct threatens to have a serious and detrimental impact on the business interests of the Haven Childcare Centre Limited, which owns both homes,” she said.
She said the second home at Rock House, Donore, Co Louth, had not been the subject of any protests.
Mr Shearer said Ms Bentley’s company employed 27 staff, 16 on a full time basis, between the two childrens’ homes. Tusla paid a weekly sum in respect of the housing and care of each child housed in the homes and it was this money that paid staff and defrayed other business expenses.
“Ms Bentley’s company is acutely aware that any threat to the welfare of the children may result in their immediate removal from the care of the Haven Childcare Centre,” Mr Shearer said.
The court heard Mr Brady had in 2008 carried out works, allegedly “to a poor standard”, at Ms Bentley’s private home at Copse Edge and a third party had to be engaged to complete and repair the work.
Ms Bentley said there was a dispute about what money he was owed. She had paid him €20,000 and Mr Brady was now claiming an additional €7,000.
Mr Brady had protested and picketed at Ballymakenny with signs stating “Wealthy business owner: Pay your builder,” and “Pay what you owe.”
Judge Ní Chúlacháin said Mr Brady had been unlawfully interfering with Ms Bentley’s business interests and “having regard in particular to the children” and the employees she granted an injunction restraining him or his agents from picketing at or near any of Ms Bentley’s and her company’s properties.