Sub-contractors who worked on the new Loreto School in Wexford and are owed €13 million after the main contractor Sammon Construction went into liquidation are due to resume picket duties at 7.30 am on Monday morning when it is expected that new contractors will enter the site.
The group had picketed the site last week, but left on Thursday evening on foot of legal advice and two contractors were ordered to attend the High Court on Friday.
The men had to pay €2,000 each for legal representation and believe they could be facing fines in the region of €60,000.
It is understood that tomorrow morning’s event will not be obstructing work, but just a picket to raise awareness as to the plight of the unpaid sub-contractors and they are hoping for as much public support as possible.
Local Sinn Féin councillors have promised to stand in solidarity with sub-contractors at their picket and have blasted the Government’s failure to protect sub-contractors.
Cllr Johnny Mythen told WexfordToday.com that the sub-contractors affected could have been protected by the Irish Government if it had chosen to include article 71.3 of Directive 2014/24/EU. The article provides that sub-contractors can get paid directly by the contracting authority.
Cllr Mythen said; “The failure of Government to include this in Irish legislation when the directive was transposed into Irish law is utterly negligent.”

CLLR TOM FORDE

Cllr Tom Forde also criticised the failure to carry out proper due diligence when selecting the main contractor during the procurement process.
“The Government cannot now ignore the plight of these sub-contractors who are left without payment for the work they have carried out and the equipment they have supplied to schools,” said the Wexford Borough member, who added; “These sub-contractors have been robbed of millions of euros and jobs have been lost as a direct result of a Government that was asleep at the wheel.”
Cllr Forde concluded: “We all want this school open for September so that the education of young Wexford girls is not negatively impacted, but it is morally unacceptable to put students, parents and teachers into a situation where they are using buildings and furniture that has not been paid for.”
WexfordToday.com understands that representatives of the sub-contractors will meet with representatives of the NFDA and the Department of Education this coming Tuesday in a bid to resolve the situation.