Tractors get into gear with operation freeflow

THE prophets of doom got it wrong when they predicted yesterday’s tractor protest would bring Dublin city centre to a standstill.

There was no traffic chaos, and last night the IFA was praised for having mounted a text book operation with the help of the gardaí.

Farmers drove 300 tractors into the city at noon and parked them in front of Government Buildings at Merrion Square where traffic and parking was restricted.

The rally, which was over in two hours, worked according to plan and while serious in tone was peppered with good humour and wit.

It was a particular triumph for John Dillon, the leader of the 85,000-member IFA, who was elected to the post over a year ago on the slogan “Dillon Delivers”.

That was not lost on Ruaidhri Deasy, the deputy president, whose late father Richard Deasy led the farmers rights march in 1966. Mr. Dillon yesterday delivered the message of falling farm incomes to Government Buildings, said Mr Deasy, but he also delivered free flowing traffic to Dublin.

The protest also won the plaudits and goodwill of many Dubliners, one of whom put it in context from her viewpoint. “I don’t know what all the fuss was about blocking up the streets. Sure, the Corporation has been doing that for years,” she said.

In order to minimise traffic disruption, the IFA had agreed with the gardaí that only 300 tractors including farmers from all participating counties would proceed to Merrion Square.

Each convoy consisted of about 50 tractors each and travelled to and from staging posts in Swords, Ashbourne, Clonee, Maynooth, Naas and Bray.

Gardaí escorted each convoy to and from the protest and used bus lanes and motorway sections where possible to minimise traffic disruption.

The protest was monitored by the Garda Air Support Unit. Members of the Force were in position at crucial junctions and around Government Buildings.

Garda motorcyclists patrolled each convoy and the Mounted Unit was also on duty. Farmers who drove the tractors, many of them flying their county colours, reported a lot of goodwill from Dublin people on the streets.

Fine Gael agriculture spokesperson Billy Timmins said it was heartening to see the level of support among Dublin people for the protest.

“The Government’s efforts to undermine the demonstration by seeking to create a false urban-rural divide, never got off the ground because the IFA's measured and balanced efforts ensured minimal disruption,” he said.

IFA president John Dillon thanked the public around the country and in Dublin for their support and understanding during the five days of the protests.