Workers on the M7 motorway are staging a protest outside the offices of Laois County Council over claims of unpaid wages.

The main contractor Bowen Samogue and the Local Authority are in a dispute over payments.

A conciliation hearing recently awarded about €26m to the company but the council want to take this decision to arbitration.

The section of road between Borris-in-Ossory and Moneygall has been blocked by angry workers who claim that they have not been paid since November 1.

Protesters have said that the road will be dug up if the money isn't forthcoming.