LIVE: Further fuel protests expected this afternoon as major disruption continues

A man ha a photo taken next to vehicles parked on O'Connell Street in Dublin as protestors take part on the second day of a National Fuel Protest against rising fuel prices. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

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

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.

In a statement, gardaí said the knock-on effects of the protests are being felt across essential services, with reports of people missing hospital appointments and being unable to visit seriously ill loved ones.

“We in An Garda Síochána have received reports of emergency workers being delayed or not being able to travel to their work, of people not being able to attend hospital appointments or visit loved ones who are ill,” a spokesperson said.

Gardaí have urged protesters to work with them locally to minimise disruption, particularly to public transport and key traffic routes.

Cork sees major disruption 

In Cork, several trucks blocked the Shannonpark Roundabout in Ringaskiddy, causing heavy delays earlier today, with another protest expected to take place in the area from 4pm.

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

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.

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.

Vehicles parked on O'Connell Street in Dublin as protestors take part on the second day of a National Fuel Protest against rising fuel prices. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

There were some tense exchanges between Dubliners walking through the city’s main thoroughfare and the protesters, with one woman telling the protesters that they had the fuel to drive up to Dublin so they should drive home.

Lines of buses were parked on the side of the city’s streets, while some of the busiest thoroughfares were empty.

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 were severely disrupted, with some vehicles unable to cross the city at all.

“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.

Busses stopped on O'Connell Street in Dublin as protestors take part on the second day of a National Fuel Protest against rising fuel prices. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

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.

Fuel depots blocked 

Fuel depots in Foynes, Co Limerick, and in Galway were 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.