Cattle farmers have been continuing their protest outside the Kepak meat processing plant in Athleague in Co Roscommon in a dispute over beef price cuts.
Overnight, the farmers demonstrated opposite the factory entrance, sitting on bales of hay and lighting fires in tar barrels.
More than 800 farmers took part at the start of the protest at one of the country's biggest beef processing plants yesterday. They say they stand to lose up to €5 million if they accept the cuts made by Kepak.
The IFA said the reduced prices being offered are totally unjustified and are having a severe impact on farmers.
Kepak blames market forces for the cuts and says it has had to respond to market pressures.
