Dawn Meats has been granted permission to bring attachment and committal proceedings against a protester at a meat plant back to the High Court on Friday.

It comes after farmers continued to block access to factories, despite a High Court injunction stopping them from protesting.

The pickets have stemmed from a row over beef prices.

Dawn Meats said it was forced to return to the High Court today to request the enforcement of the injunction and that similar action may be taken against further individuals.

Injunctions were also granted to Slaney Meats and Kepak, banning protests at their factories.

In a statement, Dawn Meats said: "Dawn Meats was forced to return to the High Court today to request the enforcement of an injunction granted yesterday to stop protestors from blocking the entry and exit of lorries at its facilities.

"The court ruled that a protestor be put on notice that it will hear an application for contempt of the injunction on Friday.

"Similar action may be taken against further individuals if the illegal blockade continues."

The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) said it would oppose the court order, to allow time to see if a resolution can be found.

Reporting by Alison Nulty