There were violent scenes outside Waterford Crystal this afternoon after the receiver announced that the company was to cease production today.
At 3.20pm, shortly after workers were informed of the decesion, a group of between 60 and 70 workers had gathered at the plant.
The group attempted to enter the building through the doors of a gallery but were held back by security staff who have been on site over the last number of weeks.
A pane of glass was smashed and at least one employee suffered minor injuries before gardai arrived on the scene.
Tensions remain high and heated words have been exchanged between employees and the security staff.
Unite's regional organiser Walter Cullen was critical of the security arrangements in place at the plant and the manner in which the news of the receivers plans for the company had emerged.
“People received text message and calls this afternoon that something was going to happen,” he said “I rang the receiver to find out and he confirmed it.”
Local Sinn Féin councillor Joe Kelly, who joined the workers' protest, called on the Government to intervene "to stop the receiver from closing the company".
Mr Kelly said: "Just yesterday the receiver announced that he would not close the company while there are interested investors but today he has gone back on his word.
We are calling on the Government to intervene in this dispute and stop the receiver from closing the company while there are interested investors," he said.
