Protest due to get underway in tullamore

A protest is due to get underway at Dunnes Stores on Church Road in Tullamore at around midday.

The protest follows an ongoing dispute over an emergency exit which Dunnes has been keeping open since November.

Retailers in the mall say the exit, which opens onto the main carpark, is allowing shoppers to bypass their stores by entering Dunnes directly from the carpark. They claim footfall is down and jobs are under threat.

A number of groups are expected to join the protest today. Ken Smollen of the Irish Democratic Party described it as a 'David versus Goliath' situation. He was critiacal of local councillors, who he accused of inaction.

Mr Smollen urged people to come out and support local businesses.