Siptu shop steward hit by van outside Greyhound plant

A Siptu shop steward was hit by a vehicle while protesting outside the Greyhound plant in Clondalkin, Dublin yesterday.

The 37-year-old man was knocked down by a white van while standing at the picket line outside the entrance of the plant at about 6.30pm.

The man was brought Tallaght hospital where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries .

Members of the union, which represents 78 workers at Greyhound, has been protesting outside two plants since last Friday in a dispute over working conditions and wage cuts of about 35 per cent.

Siptu organiser Henry O’ Shea said he was standing beside his union colleague when the incident happened.

“I was standing right beside him but in the nick of time I leaned back. I heard a smack and turned around to see him flying through the air.

“He was face down on the road. He wasn’t conscious in the beginning. Then he came through and we turned him over.”

Mr O’Shea said the emergency services arrived and the man was taken by ambulance to Tallaght hospital. “He wasn’t bleeding but he was very sore,” he said.

Mr O’Shea said it was worried about the safety of members protesting on the picket line.

Gardaí have confirmed they are investigating the incident and had spoken to the driver of the van. He was not arrested.

The company is contracted to collect household waste bins for Dublin City Council.

A spokesman for Greyhound said the vehicle did not belong to the company and was a visitor to the site.

He said the company were reviewing the CCTV footage and would make a statement later today.