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The High Court has issued an injunction to the provisional liquidators of the Irish branch of the retailer, Debenhams, avoiding illegal actions and any interference with efforts to withdraw stocks from its old stores.
The court order applies to anyone who has knowledge of the order. Copies will be posted at entrances to stores and shopping centers.
The injunction was granted to joint provisional liquidators Kieran Wallace and Andrew O’Leary of KPMG, who were appointed last April.
Three protesters named Stephen Troy from Belvedere Manor, Co Waterford, Denis O’Brien from Browns Road, Waterford and Carole Bridgeman from Ballyvolane, Co Cork, pledged to comply with the court order.
Judge Leonie Reynolds urged the liquidators to reopen a line of communication with the workers and said the union Mandate should clarify the nature of the injunction to its members.
Union representative, Carole Bridgeman, who worked at the Mahon Point store in Cork for 15 years, denied that the protests by workers at various stores were illegal.
He also claimed that Mr. Wallace had attempted to defame the workers in his affidavit. He claimed that the dispute had taken a “more sinister turn” with most of those on the picket line wearing masks.
But he said most of the workers were mothers and grandmothers who wore masks as part of public health councils.
Ms. Bridgeman said that the workers ‘industrial action and campaign for a fair settlement after Debenhams’ “shameful” treatment had been peaceful and dignified throughout.
However, when questioned by Judge Leonie Reynolds, she accepted that she had been involved in an illegal occupation of a shop on Patrick Street in Cork, which ended peacefully.
He said he was also one of the people who would only allow a truck to leave the Mahon Point store last Saturday if it was empty.
But he said this was because the truck owner had contacted the pickets to get an agreement to recall the vehicle.
Ms. Bridgeman said staff were seeking two weeks of legal layoff plus two weeks of pay for each year worked, under an agreement signed between the Mandate Trade Union and Debenhams four years ago.
He said the UK parent company, which is now dissolved, had “siphoned off” income from Ireland since the closure and said the estimated value of 25 million euros in shares in the stores would meet the workers’ demands.
He said it was necessary for the liquidators to return to the table to try to resolve the six-month dispute and that the court order would make his campaign for justice more challenging.
Ms. Bridgeman’s affidavit was endorsed by Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, as well as TDs Brid Smith and Mick Barry.
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