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File photo. PA

Former Debenhams workers hold protest on Dublin's Henry Street

Around 200 people gathered on Henry Street in Dublin, outside Debenhams’ old building.

FORMER DEBENHAMS WORKERS have held a national strike today to raise awareness of their case against their former employer, which arose after Debenhams went into liquidation during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Around 200 people gathered on Henry Street in Dublin, outside the building where one outlet of the British retail chains was housed.

Those who took part in the protest held signs with the slogans:

121 days on strike, Debenhams, Pay us our collective redundancy agreement, 2+2 (weeks)
Standing up, fighting back 

Demonstrations were also held in Cork, Kildare, Waterford, and Blanchardstown.

DEBENHAM STRIKERS 758A0282 Debenhams strikers on picket duty in the sun, at the back of the White Water Shopping Mall in Newbridge, Co Kildare. Eamonn Farrell Eamonn Farrell

The Debenhams workers have been protesting and campaigning for 17 weeks for a fair redundancy settlement from their former employer.

Over 1,000 workers lost jobs across the country as a result of the closure of the Irish arm of the UK chain in April.

Debenhams also closed its 142 stores in the UK, and 22,000 staff were placed on furlough. The UK department store dates back to 1778.

The company had four stores in Dublin, two in Cork and others in Galway, Limerick, Newbridge, Tralee and Waterford.

Some Irish workers had almost 30 years’ service at Debenhams.

Debenhams workers from across the country have been joined by family, trade unionists and delegations from parties who have supported their campaign.

- with reporting from Adam Daly and Cónal Thomas

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    Mute crocodile
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    Mar 7th 2021, 8:31 AM

    Well done pope Francis bringing hope and giving attention to those who have very little and whose lives have been destroyed

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    Mute Fionn Darland
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    Mar 7th 2021, 11:02 AM

    10,000 to attend Mass with the Pope at a football stadium today. Why does he think it is ok to put their lives at risk of contracting covid at this mass gathering? Of course Fran has been vaccinated so he is alright Jack!

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    Mute JPM
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    Mar 7th 2021, 11:10 AM

    @Fionn Darland: obviously never been to croke park. 10000 on a large pitch and in the stands is a very small amount with plenty of room for social distancing.

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    Mute Fionn Darland
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    Mar 7th 2021, 11:31 AM

    @JPM: Yet our medical advisers are not fine with allowing 10,000 into Croker. Only 200 or so were allowed for the Eid celebration.
    Those attending are likely unvaccinated so they have no protection when mixing, touching turnstiles, using toilets, travelling there on public transport etc. High risk of transferring the disease….no?

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    Mute helen wilson
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    Mar 7th 2021, 9:30 PM

    It would appear that Pope Francis did not have enough information about the virus…..if he did he would not have travelled. Large crowds banned here to avoid serious illness and death

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    Mute andrew
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    Mar 7th 2021, 10:02 PM

    Huge crowd turned out.

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