Cant empty trash unexpected error -8003

If this is any different to people who have had this error from deleting Time Machine backup - this was from deleting the files in pubsub's feeds folder:
After finding that pubsubagent had filled a folder with 5 million files - ! - I sent them to the trash. Now the trash refuses to empty.
- regular or forced (option key) Empty trash counts the 3.3 million files, doesn't delete any of them, and finally says:
The operation can't be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8003).
I tried Secure empty - this appears to work, but of course slowly - at 1 second per file will take 6.2 years...
I tried a script called Trash It! - it unlocked and changed permissions on the files in the trash - took 24 hours. It didn't delete them, though - just stuck.
Similarly, Onyx - completetion bar goes most of the way and then just gets stuck.
I also found a terminal command to empty and delete the entire trash folder and then recreate it. That used the rm command, but seemed to be going very slowly or stuck - also left for 24 hour.
Is there anything I can do to empty this trash?
Thanks in advance...

I would try rm the entire trash directory.
re:  http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/trash.html

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