Fishermen protest over rising fuel costs

ANGRY fishermen from across the country tied up their boats yesterday and took their concerns to the front gates of Leinster House over rising costs and restrictions in their industry.

Hundreds of fishing vessels nationwide were left unmanned in ports, in protest over escalating fuel costs, the importation of non-EU fish and the strict fishing quotas faced by fishermen.

Fishing leaders challenged recent comments by Finance Minister Brian Lenihan that people complaining about fuel costs were “whingers”, saying they were disappointed by the comments.