Protesters are continuing to obstruct entrances to a site where emergency accommodation facilities for hundreds of Ukrainian refugees are being built, the High Court has heard.
Last week, Total Experience Ltd, trading as Pastures New Accommodation, which is constructing facilities at Newhall, Naas, Co Kildare for families fleeing the war, secured a temporary order restraining protesters from blocking entrances.
The company claims its work continues to be hampered by those opposed to the State’s provision of accommodation for displaced persons.
When the matter returned before the High Court today, Mr Justice Oisin Quinn was told by Gary McCarthy SC, with Barry Mansfield Bl for the plaintiff, that despite the granting of the injunction the protest remains ongoing.
His client’s workers and trucks making deliveries continue to have difficulties accessing the site, the court heard.
After the injunction was granted some of the protesters left the site.
Campsite erected at entrance, court told
Counsel said that the protesters have erected a campsite, consisting of a tent or gazebo, at the entrance, which forms part of his client’s property.
While some smaller vehicles can enter and leave the site, the campsite’s presence has prevented larger articulated lorries from doing so, it was claimed.
Counsel said that it is now his client’s case that the protesters, who have refused to leave the campsite, are trespassing.
As a result, counsel said that his client needs to amend its proceedings to deal with the alleged trespass and asked that the order previously granted by the court be further extended.
Counsel said the plaintiff also wants to add the names of several other individuals it claims it has identified as being part of the protest.
Counsel said the matter remains urgent as it has not been possible to get the facility up and running on time.
It was scheduled to open this week.
When the case was called, there was no appearance by any of the defendants, nor were any representations made on their behalf.
Mr Justice Quinn accepted that the matter remains urgent and adjourned it to later this week.
