A group of farmers protesting at a Teagasc centre in Co Leitrim prevented a lorry from entering and removing a herd of cattle from inside the centre this afternoon.
Gardaí who were monitoring the situation at the scene since this morning took the names of around 70 protesters when they refused to move aside to allow the lorry entry.
The lorry subsequently drove off without gaining access to the centre.
Among the protesters whose name was taken by Gardaí was the IFA leader Mr John Dillon.
The protesters have gathered at the centre in Ballinamore, preventing the removal of the cattle since Monday. They are protesting at plans to close the centre.
Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture, Mr Martin Ferris, and the party's Cavan-Monaghan TD, Mr Caoimhghín Ó'Caoláin, have called on the Minister for Agriculture to prevent the closure of the Teagasc facility.
"Not only is this important from the point of view of the immediate locality, but also because of the importance of Ballinamore for research in Irish agriculture," the two said in a statement.
Speaking in the Dáil the Taoiseach said that he could not intervene in the closure as it was an internal matter for Teagasc itself.
Teagasc provides research, advisory and training services for the agriculture and food industry in Ireland.
The semi-state agency decided last year to engage in a rationalisation programme and close down a number of its offices.
