Fishermen refuse to rule out further port protests

PROTESTING fishermen last night refused to rule out further blockades of ports next week after an urgent review of the needs of fishing fleets, was announced by Marine Minister Pat “The Cope” Gallagher.

The announcement came in response to the scallop fishers’ demands for a €4.8 million aid package which they say is needed because new EU fishing restrictions will bankrupt many of their members and put them out of business.

However, they said last night that the minister was not addressing the issue with the urgency required.