Injunction halts clamping protest

A dispute at the company responsible for traffic clamping in Dublin disrupted operations yesterday and led to High Court proceedings.

Mr Justice Kelly granted interim injunctions restraining a number of employees of Central Parking System (Ireland) Ltd from watching, besetting, picketing or interfering with access to the company's premises at The Pound, New Wapping Street, Dublin. He also granted an injunction restraining the defendants from interfering with the business of the company or with its contractual relationship with Dublin City Council. The defendants may apply to discharge the injunctions, and the matter was returned to June 10th.

The judge said he was satisfied activities at The Pound yesterday were unlawful and that no protected dispute was involved. The court heard some employees had prevented clamping vehicles leaving the premises and had engaged in sit-downs which had led to 15 of them being arrested.

A council spokesman later confirmed the clampers were back in action following the injunction.