A dispute over pay has halted work on the final section of the M7 Dublin to Limerick motorway, which was due to open by the end of the month.

Staff working for KC Civil Engineering said on Monday they have not received their pay cheques and are protesting 'on site' and preventing works going ahead.

A conciliation award for additional payments to the main contractor Bowen Somague Joint Venture, reportedly in the region of €20m, is being appealed by the National Roads Authority and Laois County Council and a spokesman for approximately 40 protesting workers said it is believed that a dispute involving the main contractor is holding up payments.

-- Advertisement --

The NRA said Laois County Council has agreed to pay the main contractor the disputed amount as long as the contractor provides the necessary bond to ensure that the state will receive any monies owed upon outcome of appeal process.

The Castletown to Nenagh section, which links Borris-in-Ossory with Moneygall, Co Offaly, is the final 36km section of the M7.

(BMcC/GK)