An example of a modular home. Photo: Doug.ie

Dublin's first modular homes for homeless families will not be ready in time for Christmas as promised, due to a threat to contract staff at the site.

The first 22 units on a site in Poppintree in Ballymun were expected to be ready on Monday.

A protest was held at the site stopping work which Dublin City Council said 'escalated' on November 26.

In a statement Dublin City Council said that security staff were threatened by people wearing balaclavas.

“They were told to go back to the North or their machinery would be burned out,” the statement said.

Poor weather conditions also delayed work at the site the council said.

It will now be January before the units are ready.

The contractor did offer to try and get some of the homes on site before Christmas but the council opted against leaving the incomplete units exposed over the festive season.

As late as Saturday Environment Minsiter Alan Kelly said that the homes would be delivered on time.

Online Editors