A company building a 985-bed emergency accommodation centre in Co Kildare has secured a temporary High Court injunction restraining protesters from blocking entrances to the site.
The action has been brought by Total Experience Ltd, trading as Pastures New Accommodation, which is constructing facilities at Newhall, Naas, Co Kildare for families fleeing the two year old Russia/Ukraine conflict.
It claims its work is being hampered by those opposed to the State’s provision of accommodation to displaced persons who are mounting a 24-hour “blockade” of the site’s main entrances.
In recent days up to 50 protesters have been preventing people and vehicles from entering or leaving the site by using tactics including forming “a human shield,” and by parking cars in front of the entrances, the court heard.
These alleged activities amount to a nuisance and an unreasonable interference with the company’s work, it claims.
The protesters have no legitimate basis for blocking the site, it further alleges.
On Thursday Mr Justice Mark Sanfey said he was prepared to grant a temporary injunction restraining two named protestors and “persons unknown” from obstructing the entrances. The application was made with only the builder’s side represented.
The firm has been contracted by the State to provide the 985 beds in 387 cabins as well as a dining marquee, laundry and recreation facilities at the site.
It claims the protesters’ actions are hampering its efforts to complete its work on time.
The facility is 90pc complete and is due to be ready by early March. The actions of the protesters may result in it not being operational on time, it is claimed.
Gary McCarthy SC, appearing with Barry Mansfield Bl, for the builder, said his client was not attempting to interfere with anyone’s lawful right to peacefully protest.
However the blocking of the entrances is not lawful and it creates a safety risk, counsel said.
Counsel said that the blockade commenced last Tuesday (February 27) when some 50 people prevented vehicles from entering the site.
The only way workers could leave the site was due to an intervention by the gardai.
The protesters have acted in an aggressive and intimidating manner, he said.
It is claimed that some of the foreign workers at the site were racially abused and the Irish workers referred to as “traitors.” by the protesters.
Counsel said that it has only been able to identify two of the protesters as one was involved in another protest against the project while the second has been active on social media sites for a group called “Kildare Says No.”
Many of the other protesters at the site, counsel added, have covered their faces using balaclavas and have not been identified.
Counsel said his client is also concerned about aggressive social media posts made by various persons regarding the protest.
One post stated “All them trucks need is (fire emoji), while others stated that “(Four fire emojis) only solution man!”, “Put barrels at the entrance and make fires in them. Big fires,” “Put a few nails through timber and lay it down in front of the truck tyres”, and “Burn it It will take a war are the Irish ready”.
Counsel said that his client is fearful that matters may escalate, and noted that other buildings have been burnt after they were earmarked as accommodation for refugees.
Mr Justice Sanfey said he accepted that the matter was urgent, and was prepared to grant a temporary injunction.
The matter was made returnable to next week.
However the judge said that given the dynamic of the situation the parties were free to return to court before then should the need arise.
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