LIVE: Nationwide fuel protests enter second day as major disruption continues

Fuel Cost protest by hauliers and farmers the city Center of Dublin to come to a halt as almost every bridge across the river Liffey is blocked. Picture: Sam Boal/ Collins

Commuters and motorists are facing significant disruption nationwide as the “Can’t Afford to Move” fuel protests enter a second day, with delays reported across multiple counties this morning.

Gardaí say slow-moving convoys and blockades are affecting traffic in Cork, Dublin, Limerick, Tipperary, and Galway, while fuel depots in Limerick and Galway remain obstructed.

Cork sees major disruption 

In Cork, several trucks have blocked the Shannonpark Roundabout in Ringaskiddy, causing heavy delays. Traffic is also slow in both directions on the Macroom bypass.

Protest convoys also slowed traffic at Junction 18 to Glanmire, Co Cork, on the M8 this morning.

But traffic congestion sparked by fuel cost protest convoys appear to be receding across the southern region, gardaí said, with traffic along the M8, one of the worst hit areas in the south, now clearing.

Bus Éireann services across Cork city are running behind schedule due to protest activity, with some routes delayed by up to 45 minutes.

Route 220 was among the worst affected earlier, unable to operate via Carr’s Hill due to disruption in Carrigaline, though services have since resumed.

A number of services were cancelled this morning, including:

• 7.30am Route 226X (Kinsale to MTU) 
• 7.30am Route 233 (Crookstown to Cork) 
• 7.35am Cork to Macroom service 
• 11.20am Route 223 South Mall to Maritime College
• 12.22 Route 223 Martime College to South Mall
• 11.15am Route 261 Cork to Ballinacurra 
• 11.50am Route 261 Ballinacurra to Cork
  

Separately, ongoing roadworks mean Route 226 is unable to serve several stops between 8am and 6pm, including Ballinabearna Cross, Riverstick, Belgooly and Bridge View.

Government refuses to engage directly 

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has insisted the Government will not meet protest groups directly, saying it will only engage with established representative bodies.

He warned that anyone blocking streets or fuel terminals will be punished and that gardaí will move people on.

“Fuel depots will have to be cleared. There's no justification whatsoever for blockading fuel depots,” Mr Martin said.

Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers described some of the protest activity as “completely unacceptable and irresponsible”.

“Blocking fuel terminals is reckless in the extreme, and they should stand down their protest,” he said, warning the disruption is undermining businesses nationwide.

Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien also criticised the demonstrations, calling them “unprecedented” and saying it is not acceptable to turn cities into “car parks”.

“We can’t have a situation where we have forecourts in this country with no supply, when we have good reserves in this country,” he said.

He confirmed he has discussed the issue with Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan and reiterated that the Government is engaging with representative groups such as the Irish Road Haulage Association.

“We understand the point people are making. This is not the way to do it,” he said, urging protesters to de-escalate.

Ger Hyland, president of the Irish Road Haulage Association, said his organisation would not be negotiating on behalf of protesters.

Mr Hyland said he was hopeful that further talks between the Government and the IRHA would take place either Wednesday or Thursday.

Asked if he would urge protestors blocking cities and towns across the country to stand down, Mr Hyland said he would not.

“Far be it from me to tell them not to protest,” Mr Hyland said, adding that he could empathise with hauliers and farmers out on the streets due to high fuel costs.

He said the IRHA would not be carrying out any protests while it is still in talks with the Government.

Dublin city centre gridlocked 

Protesters with tractors have caused gridlock in Dublin city centre over rising fuel costs caused by the war in Iran, with traffic also impacted along the North and South Quays.

Tractors were parked down O’Connell Street, and O’Connell Bridge was cordoned off, as farmers and other fuel-dependent workers blocked the capital’s main road for the second day in a row.

The protesters are calling for a cap on kerosene and for the increase in the carbon tax in May to be abandoned.

Dublin Bus says services are severely disrupted, with some vehicles unable to cross the city at all.

Vehicles taking part in a National Fuel Protest in Dublin. Picture: PA

“Essentially anything that’s trying to come across the city is trapped,” a spokesperson said, adding that Fleet Street has also been blocked.

While some buses left depots earlier this morning, operators are now struggling to move vehicles through the city, with diversions in place via Eden Quay and Gardiner Street.

Limerick, Tipperary and Galway affected 

In Limerick, delays are building on the N21 from Adare towards the city, as well as on Ballysimon Road. The Coonagh Roundabout is currently blocked.

Around 80 vehicles remained on the M7 outside the city overnight, with protesters expected to resume activity this morning.

In Tipperary, traffic is slow on the M8 between junctions 6 and 9 northbound.

Galway is also experiencing disruption, particularly around the docks area.

In Clare, protesters gathered at the Banner Plaza and are expected to take to roads around Ennis and Shannon later today.

Tom Fitzgerald at a rally in O'Connell Street in Dublin after vehicles took part in a National Fuel Protest. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Fuel depots blocked 

Fuel depots in Foynes, Co Limerick, and in Galway remain blocked this morning, with suppliers waiting for gardaí to intervene to allow deliveries.

A Government source said the situation “will have to be addressed”, potentially involving the removal of protesters to restore fuel supply.

Calls for further support 

Minister of State Michael Healy Rae said the Government is prepared to take further steps to support hauliers and agricultural contractors impacted by rising fuel costs.

He said more “has to be done” and indicated additional measures may be considered if fuel prices continue to rise.

“There are certain things that have to happen every day to keep this country going,” he said. “We need to keep our transport moving.” 

Protests may continue 

Some protesters indicated last night they intend to continue disruption into today, with further action possible in the coming weeks if fuel prices are not reduced or capped.

Tuesday saw coordinated nationwide action involving hauliers, farmers, and contractors, with tractors and commercial vehicles disrupting towns and cities across the country.

It remains unclear if the protests will extend into a third day, but pressure is mounting as disruption intensifies and fuel supply concerns grow.