Meath schools shut in pay strike

Meath · 17 October 2026

Schools across Meath closed and Meath County Council services were curtailed on Wednesday 14 October, as local public servants joined a national one-day strike over pay. A second strike planned for Wednesday 21 October has since been suspended while talks are set up.

More than 300,000 public sector workers took part nationally, RTÉ reported, in action co-ordinated by the 19 unions of the ICTU Public Services Committee. In Meath, pickets were mounted at primary and secondary schools, the ambulance headquarters in Navan, LMETB offices and Intreo offices, the Meath Chronicle reported. Many hospital appointments were cancelled.

Meath County Council closed its civic offices, tourism offices and public libraries for the day. In Kells, the council-run Kells Swimming Pool was also closed. The council kept phone, email and out-of-hours emergency contact in place.

On Friday 16 October the unions agreed to suspend the 21 October strike. The Government appointed Kevin Foley, Oonagh Buckley and Owen Reidy to work with both sides on a basis for formal negotiations at the Workplace Relations Commission. That process was expected to begin this weekend. Unions say their work-to-rule will continue until an agreement is reached.

Reported as of 17 October 2026.

Meath schools shut in pay strike; next strike suspended

Sources