'Don’t bite the hand that feeds you': Protests continue with Port of Cork blockade

As the 'Can't afford to move' protest continues into day three a blockade at the Port of Cork, Ringaskiddy was established overnight and remains there.

Tractors blocking the entrance to the Port of Cork, Ringaskiddy as part of the peaceful protests regarding rising fuel prices.

The ‘Can’t Afford To Move’ protest has continued into its third day with protests occurring across the country.

A blockade at the Port of Cork in Ringaskiddy was formed overnight and continues to hold with a backlog of lorries and traffic along the N28 (Ringaskiddy road).

The blockade are protesting the rising fuel prices and say they will remain protesting for as long as they have to or until the government drop fuel prices.

The blockade at the Ringaskiddy port has been in place since 10pm on April 8 with plans to remain in place.

“We were hoping yesterday morning that by yesterday evening we’d have some bit of white smoke and we’d be able to stand down,” Finbarr O’Mahony a contractor in Carrigaline and part of the blockade told the Irish Examiner.

Regarding the plan for the protest Mr O’Mahony said “We will be here as long as we need to be here.” 

In response to Micheál Martin’s speech yesterday saying he would not engage with the protestors Mr O’Mahony replied: “Absolutely disgraceful, a pure insult. He has no regard for the working people of this country.” 

“The ‘so called’ leader of the country to come out with that statement yesterday did not help things, it just put fire under us," Mr O'Mahony continued. 

Another member of the blockade, young farming contractor, Matthew Ryan who parked up his tractor blocking the port last night at around 10pm and has remained in the blockade since said the Taoiseach shouldn’t “bite the hand that feeds you.” 

Although the blockade has created tailbacks and traffic of lorries who cannot gain access to the Port along the N28 (Ringaskiddy road), commuters are still able to access Ringaskiddy freely via other routes.

Protestors are working with the local Gardaí who are stationed along the route to ensure safe passage of any funeral processions to the crematorium situated in Ringaskiddy and emergency vehicles who may need to gain access to the area as well as monitoring for any dangerous driving.

Gardaí in the area have said they are liaising with all parties involved in the area including the factories, Port of Cork officials, and the protestors themselves.

A local Garda monitoring the N28 route and the blockade told the Irish Examiner: “We are dealing with decent people and we respect their right to protest.” 

Discussing the effects of the fuel price crisis on his day-to-day Mr Ryan says if his employer can’t afford to fuel his tractor he's out of work and a days pay creating a knock on effect on other aspects of his life.

“It could be six to seven hundred euro just to fill the tractor, and she might burn all that in a day maybe two, depending on the work,” he explained.

Responding to Micheál Martin’s statement yesterday Mr Ryan said: “It's fairly stupid what he's doing. And farmers are the backbone of this country. There's no food without us.” 

“Things will have to change at some point… there’s places out of fertiliser now crops are out of fertiliser. I’ve heard milk is being dumped in West Cork from bulk tanks because lorries can’t get out to take it, they have no diesel. I don’t know, something has to happen,” he said.

“The price of diesel at the pump today is 214.9 and it's we just cannot keep going the way things are going at the moment, it's crazy, and we're just parking up to put our voice across to this Government that Micheál Martin is not listening to us, but I unfortunately, I think he'll have to, because we're going nowhere unless we get answers,” hauler Tom Murphy told the Irish Examiner.

Speaking directly to the Taoiseach Mr Murphy questioned diesel pricing in Ireland compared to other EU countries which have capped prices.

“It’s 214.9 to buy diesel in Kerry today and in Spain last night, my mate filled the truck at 150.” Mr Murphy explained that to fill his lorry with two days worth of fuel hes currently paying €800 each time.

Responding the the government’s statement regarding the protest Mr Murphy said Micheál Martin, Simon Harris and their supporters in government “should be ashamed of themselves.” 

"We have to stick this out. It’s just bigger these protests will get, this country will come to a standstill,” Mr Murphy concluded.

Similar sentiments were reflected by fellow hauler Matt Hopkins who’d been stuck in the tail backs as a result of the blockade since half six this morning.

Explaining some of the costs experienced by haulers across the country Mr Hopkins said, depending on the size, to keep three trucks going for a month could cost around €29,000.

“How I look at it [the protest], its needed in the country… They’re doing it for the people not just the haulers or farmers,” Mr Hopkins explained.

Continuing he said: “If something doesn’t change in the country then this is just going to keep on happening.” 

“I think it's right cause, and it's the right time to do it as well. Because, by the looks we've started with Micheál Martin. Martin came out there last night saying the protests were unnecessary. This is a peaceful protest… what Micheál Martin said last night is just unacceptable,” Mr Hopkins said.

Discussing the general commuter who might be getting frustrated with the protests Mr Hopkins said: “they don’t understand it.” 

Explaining, he continued saying that the general public don’t see the farmer working day-to-day to provide food or the haulers driving up and down the country several times in one day to ensure food and other goods are delivered and where they need to be for the average consumer.

“I'm helping get food on the shelves, I just don't think, the general public who's getting frustrated with these protests now are not seeing the future. They’re just seeing traffic, they’re not seeing what we do to help them and the cost of that,” Mr Hopkins said.

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