Judge adjourns legal action to stop carpenter picketing site

A legal action aimed at stopping a carpenter and others picketing a building site run by Collen Construction in Dublin city centre…

A legal action aimed at stopping a carpenter and others picketing a building site run by Collen Construction in Dublin city centre was adjourned at the High Court yesterday.

Ms Justice Liam McKechnie said he would take up the case on Thursday after carpenter Daniel O'Connell has had time to read the papers in the case.

Mr O'Connell (31), Thomond Road, Ballyfermot, told the court he intended to continue his picket at the site at the Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery in support of three unemployed bricklayers who are now facing their second week in jail for refusing to undertake not to picket another Collen site at Ballybrack, Co Dublin, arising from their failure to secure jobs there. The men also claimed "local" workers were failing to secure jobs on the site where houses are being built for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Council.

Collen had sought the committal order against the three and several protests have taken place since at various Collen sites in relation to the jailing of the men. They are Andrew Clarke, Cromlech Fields, Ballybrack; Keith Kelly, Ashlawn Park, Ballybrack and William McClurg, Sallynoggin.

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On Friday last, Collen secured an injunction against the Building and Allied Trades Union (BATU) and against Mr O'Connell restraining them picketing two other sites at the Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery, Frederick Street and UCD, Belfield.

Ms Justice Mary Laffoy returned the matter to yesterday when it came before Mr Justice McKechnie.

Collen had complained that its employees were being intimidated on the two sites by supporters of the jailed bricklayers. Yesterday, counsel for BATU said the union would give an undertaking not to picket or sanction the participation of its membership in industrial action against Collen Construction.