A High Court judge has ordered the release of Thomas Cook Staff

A High Court judge has ordered the release of Thomas Cook staff who were arrested after occupying the company's premises on Grafton Street.

Mr Justice Michael Peart said he fully understood the distress and anger of the workers who are facing redundancy.

However, he said that cannot permit the law to be broken, as that would be a recipe for anarchy.

Workers gave an undertaking to obey his order not to interfere or trespass at Thomas Cook premises and the judge said he accepted that it was a sufficient purging of their contempt.

He said the events of the past few days have resulted in a great deal of distress for the staff and the families and he would not add to that by imposing a prison sentence.

Workers staging a sit-in at the Thomas Cook office on Grafton Street have been given until 7pm this evening to vacate the premises and comply with a final court order.

Mr Justice Michael Peart has given their union representative until 6.30pm to deliver on an earlier undertaking to inform staff of the consequences of breaching the court order.

He also has given time for solicitors representing the staff to get in contact with them and give them legal advice.

In May, the travel company announced it was shutting its High Street operation in Ireland. However  management suddenly shut its two Dublin stores a month ahead of schedule, claiming they wanted to minimise any disruption.