Public transport in Dublin is facing major delays, while fuel depots in Galway and Limerick have been blocked as fuel price protests enter a second day of widespread disruption across Ireland.
Multiple vehicles were left on roads in Dublin city centre overnight, and protests are due to resume this morning. Gardaí have warned of possible road blocks affecting Dublin Airport and the Port Tunnel.
The Luas Green line is disrupted between St Stephen’s Green and Dominick due to vehicles blocking the tracks at O’Connell Bridge. Red line services are operating normally.
Dublin Bus has reported very significant disruption with major diversions in place after access to O’Connell Street was blocked in both directions. Protesters on O’Connell Bridge are also blocking bus diversions on Eden Quay, causing further problems on E Spine and F Spine routes. Commuters are advised to allow extra time for journeys as the situation develops.
Fuels for Ireland CEO Kevin McPartlan told RTÉ News that fuel depots in Foynes, County Limerick, and Galway have been blocked by protesters. Suppliers are waiting for gardaí to clear access so morning deliveries can proceed, but access to both depots remains impacted by the ongoing protests.
Protesters remained on the M7 outside Limerick overnight, with around 80 vehicles involved. Those who left plan to return this morning, and diversions are in place.
In County Clare, protesters are gathering again this morning at the Banner Plaza (Junction 12 of the M18) and are expected to take to the roads around Ennis and Shannon.
Demonstrators using tractors, lorries and trucks formed slow-moving convoys in several counties yesterday. Many of the convoys converged on Dublin city centre, where a rally was held on O’Connell Street at 3pm.
One of the organisers, James Geoghegan, said 28 different protests had taken place across the country.
Tánaiste Simon Harris said everyone has the right to protest in a democracy but added that these actions are not without consequences. He mentioned reports of disruption affecting healthcare workers and small business owners, and stressed that no sector should be pitted against another.
Harris described this as a moment of national challenge where all sectors are important, and said the government is engaging intensively with representatives of farmers, farm contractors and hauliers.
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