Panic buying has led to queues stretching out the door and down the road at petrol stations throughout Ireland as the fuel protests enter their third day. Motorists rushed to fill tanks amid growing fears of widespread shortages caused by ongoing blockades at major fuel terminals and the Whitegate oil refinery in Cork.
Reports from Munster, Connacht and beyond describe chaotic scenes, with long lines of cars at forecourts in Limerick, Waterford, Tipperary, Mayo, Galway and Connemara. In some locations, such as Holy Cross in Limerick and stations in Castlebar, drivers waited for extended periods while others faced limits of €50 per customer or found pumps already dry.
Industry representatives warned that up to 40 forecourts, particularly in rural areas, have run out of fuel or closed pumps, with the number expected to rise rapidly if blockades continue. Fuels for Ireland stated that around half the country’s fuel supply remains inaccessible due to the protests. The government has condemned the disruption and deployed the Defence Forces to help clear key sites, while urging motorists to avoid unnecessary journeys and top up only when essential. Organisers insist the action will persist until concrete measures are taken to ease soaring fuel costs.
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