Fuel protests: Minister says Government not meeting protesters; Cork forecourts 'badly hit'
A busy forecourt as motorists fill up at a service station on the South City Link Road, Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins
- Some 100 forecourts were dry on Thursday evening, said Fuels for Ireland. Cork was âparticularly badly hitâ, with panic buying in the city worsening shortages.
- Jim OâCallaghan warns protesters are being manipulated and could face penalties - read moreÂ
- GardaĂ say blocking fuel depots is illegal and enforcement is imminent - read moreÂ
- A fuel protester confronted Taoiseach MicheĂĄl Martin in west Cork - read moreÂ
- MicheĂĄl Martin accused of avoiding protesters in Macroom - read more
One of the protest organisers has suggested that the Government has agreed to meet protesters on Friday afternoon.
Speaking on RTĂ's , James Geoghegan said protests on O'Connell Street have been pared back as a result of the meeting at Government Buildings.
However, minister of state Timmy Dooley said the meeting is with representative groups such as the Irish Farmers Association (IFA).
"My very clear information is that those who have been invited are those that we are already engaged with, who are the representative bodies," Mr Dooley said.
"Who they chose to bring with them is a matter for those representative bodies.
"I have no knowledge of the information that James Geoghegan has."
A Government spokesperson said: "The Government will continue to engage with official representative bodies. That will continue tomorrow."
The fuel protests that have taken place across the country will continue on Friday, organisers have confirmed. Â
The People Of Ireland Against Fuel Prices Protest said the protest will continue on April 10.
In a Facebook post, organisers said: "This is now the fourth date of protest and it will continue until the Government listen to the people of Ireland.
"The Government really need to engage with us to stop this.
"Remember we did not cause this and it is only going to get bigger and bigger every week if it comes to it."
Some home carers could not get to their clients on Thursday due to the fuel shortage, Joseph Musgrave, chief executive of Home & Community Care Ireland (HCCI), the representative body for independent home care providers in Ireland, said.
âWe have been receiving a high number of reports that home carers all over the country, and particularly in the south and west, are struggling to secure fuel supplies due to the ongoing protests," Mr Musgrave said.
"Some carers have already reported they cannot attend their clients due to the lack of fuel to provide essential care."
HCCI have requested an urgent meeting with the Minister of State for Older People, Kieran OâDonnell, on Friday to find solutions and ensure a steady, secure supply of fuel for carers.
"Many home carers have no alternative but to travel by car to their clientsâ homes. The Government must ensure the essential and uninterrupted care of the elderly and the vulnerable throughout this crisis,â Mr Musgrave said.
The Defence Forces âremain on standbyâ to support the policing response to fuel protests, according to senior Government ministers, who said measures are being put in place to âensure the continued flow of essential supplies nationwideâ.
Justice minister Jim OâCallaghan and defence minister Helen McEntee held a meeting with the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces Rossa Mulcahy and the Deputy Commissioner of An Garda SĂochĂĄna to discuss the fuel protests.
A joint statement from Ms McEntee and Mr OâCallaghan said: âBoth ministers were briefed on the measures in place to address disruption and to ensure the continued flow of essential supplies nationwide.
âAn Garda SĂochĂĄna is leading the operational response.
âThe Defence Forces remain on standby to provide assistance in support of the civil authorities.
âThe ministers will continue to receive regular updates as the situation evolves.â
Some 200 forecourts will be dry of diesel and petrol on Friday if the protests blocking an oil refinery in Cork and fuel depots in Limerick and Galway do not end rapidly, Kevin McPartlan, CEO of Fuels for Ireland has now warned.
Some 100 forecourts were already dry on Thursday evening, with the shortage most acutely impacting Munster and the west coast, he said.
Other stations were rationing what little fuel they had left, limiting how much any one customer could buy in a single transaction.
Cork was âparticularly badly hitâ, with panic buying in the city worsening shortages, Mr McPartlan said.
A blockade at Whitegate oil refinery in east Cork has badly impacted supply. The refinery is the only facility in Ireland that produces petrol and diesel from crude oil.
Approximately one third of the countryâs fuel supply comes through Whitegate, while additional terminals in Foynes, Co Limerick, and Galway â both also blockaded â supply large parts of the west and south.
âBlockades at three major terminals in Cork, Limerick and Galway mean that approximately half of Irelandâs fuel supplies cannot be distributed to service stations,â Vincent Jennings, CEO of the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association, said.
Taoiseach MicheĂĄl Martin has said blocking people is ânot the wayâ, after a fuel protester in a high-vis jacket sought to stop him on his way to a public event.
Mr Martin was entering the newly refurbished ColĂĄiste ĂosagĂĄin in Baile Bhuirne when Gerard Murphy accused the Taoiseach of âwalking away from the Irish peopleâ.
Speaking to media later, Mr Martin said that throughout his life as a politician he routinely engaged with people under pressure every day, as did other representatives.
âWe always try to alleviate pressures, but blocking people is not the way to do it. Every citizen is entitled to move about freely in our country,â the Taoiseach said.
âWhat has happened over the last number of days is that that essential freedom to move has been hindered, has been denied, to many, many people.
âWe have had countless anecdotes now of other people out there who are under a lot of pressure because they cannot make medical appointments, sick people, (and) people who have been delayed going to work.â
There is now âserious concernâ about fuel supplies for ambulances and other emergency services due to blockades, the National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) has warned.
Government officials were briefed this afternoon on the ongoing impact of the fuel blockades across the country, with the meeting hearing that emergency services operate with fuel cards.
âThere is now serious concern regarding access to fuel for emergency service vehicles and this may have consequent impacts on the availability of some services should the disruption continue,â the NECG said in a statement.
âA NECG sub-group has been established to focus on the specific impacts on the emergency services fleet and to consider possible contingencies.â
The meeting heard that while there are robust fuel supplies in the country, the primary issue is distribution, due to the blockades.
The HSE told the meeting the blockade could disrupt the time-sensitive delivery of key medicines and medical devices.
It also highlighted the impact on people seeking to attend medical appointments, adding there are knock-on effects on homecare and other critical services, including dialysis and critical care.
The meeting also heard of issues facing the agriculture sector, including difficulties accessing animal feed and fertiliser deliveries.
One Government source said co-ops are worried they will not have diesel to allow milk collections from farms.
Meanwhile, IarnrĂłd Ăireann has said it has âsignificant volumesâ of fuel within its stocks for themselves, Bus Ăireann and Dublin Bus.
A spokesperson for the rail service said: âThere has been no interruption to supply at this point, and the company holds in excess of two months operational requirements for rail and bus services for the three companies.â In addition, water supplies remain uninterrupted with Uisce Ăireann saying it is engaging with âall stakeholders to ensure the distribution of essential chemicals are not interruptedâ.
Blockades of fuel depots have been likened to the nation âshooting ourselves in the footâ, according to a representative for the fuel industry.
Fuels for Ireland chief executive Kevin McPartland said it was âcrazyâ to have spent five weeks concentrating on security of supply and then blockade fuel depots.
He said Ireland is in a better position than the UK in terms of security of fuel supply, which he said was in âreal troubleâ.
He said the depots in Foynes, Galway and the refinery in Cork, where blockades are present, account for around 50% of the fuel supply in the state.
He said the impact has been felt âmost severely in the west of Irelandâ.
He told RTĂâs Drivetime: âThe reality is that we cannot continue to maintain fuel supply to forecourts.â Asked how many were totally out of fuel, Mr McPartland said it was currently in the âlow double digitsâ but said it would increase âexponentiallyâ and get âmuch, much worseâ as hours go by.
Fuel protesters are being âmanipulatedâ by âoutside actorsâ, the justice minister has said.
Speaking to the media on Thursday afternoon, Jim OâCallaghan said âwhen you look online at present, you can see that many outside actors are seeking to manipulate these people for their own purposesâ.
He added that British right-wing activist Tommy Robinson was âreferring to and relying upon these protests to advance his own political measuresâ.
âSo I think we need to recognise that people are being manipulated here, and we need to bring an end to these protests.â
Cork GAAâs juvenile wing, Rebel Ăg, has postponed all games fixed for Thursday evening, April 9, due to the fuel crisis and consequent traffic chaos.
In a dispatch released on Thursday afternoon, Rebel Ăg acknowledged the pressure parents and mentors are facing both in queuing for fuel and having to negotiate road closures.
Rebel Ăg has not ruled out Fridayâs games programme also being postponed.
Business group Ibec has expressed its âgravest concernâ over the ongoing fuel protests, warning of serious risks to the economy and public safety.
In a letter to the Taoiseach and senior ministers, CEO Danny McCoy said the situation has escalated beyond peaceful protest.
âWhile we recognise the right to peaceful protest, the current escalation has moved beyond expression into the territory of significantly damaging economic disruption,â he wrote.
He said blockades of key infrastructure are already hitting supply chains, with impacts expected to be felt across households and businesses nationwide.
âThese illegal blockades of critical infrastructure are causing immediate and severe disruptions to national supply chains,â he said.
Mr McCoy warned that some manufacturing plants have already paused production, with others facing closure within 24 to 48 hours if disruption continues.
The pharmaceutical sector is under particular pressure, with one site already ceasing production and others affected by staff shortages and supply issues.
Construction delays are also emerging, with risks to essential material production, while some food processing plants could halt operations in the coming days.
Mr McCoy said the blocking of the Whitegate oil refinery and ports is a âdirect threat to our national energy securityâ.
He added that Ibec supports a strong Government response to the situation and is ready to assist.
A fuel protester in a high-vis jacket confronted Taoiseach MicheĂĄl Martin at an event in west Cork on Thursday afternoon.
Gerard Murphy, a farmer and contractor from Bandon, attempted to prevent Mr Martin from entering the newly refurbished ColĂĄiste ĂosagĂĄin in Baile Bhuirne.
Mr Murphy, wearing a yellow high-vis jacket, waited outside the refurbished Campas ĂosagĂĄin as Mr Martin arrived. When the Taoiseach reached the door, Mr Murphy attempted to block his entry.
âWhat are you going to do about the diesel?â Mr Murphy asked the Taoiseach.
Mr Martin did not engage and moved past him to enter the co-working facility. Mr Murphy then accused the Taoiseach of âwalking away from the Irish peopleâ.
If Defence Forces resources are necessary to ensure road blockages are open âthen that is what needs to happenâ, defence minister Helen McEntee has said.
The Defence Forces has four heavy-lift recovery trucks available to assist An Garda Siochana to clear vehicles involved in blockades.
She told reporters: âThe GardaĂ themselves have to take firm steps. It is not often the case that the aid to civil power is called in, however if that additional support is needed to make sure that these blockages are opened up, then that is what needs to happen here, but this is never a first resort.
âThe Government is engaging directly with the associations, and we are asking people to please think about the actions that youâre engaged in now, think about the impact that itâs having on many other people, and please listen to the fact that as a Government, we are engaging with associations.
âWe know that thereâs more we want to do, and we want to support people in our country, whether itâs the price of fuel or other supports that we can provide but this is not the way forward, and this is not the way to try and respond to a challenge thatâs impacting everybody and that has been caused by a crisis on a global scale thatâs impacting every single country in the world.â
Protesters at Foynes Port in West Limerick say they will continue their blockade even in the face of threats that the Defence Forces will be deployed.
As the visited the protest outside one of two exits from Foynes Port early Thursday afternoon, protesters lifted their blockade temporarily to allow two separate trucks transporting water treatment chemicals in and out.
The hard shoulder of the N69 road is backed up with parked lorries, tractors, vans and cars but traffic is moving through the area slowly but freely.
Those manning the blockage included a mix of farmers, contractors, builders and hauliers, as well as supporters.
There was a strong garda presence at the blockade, but the focus was on keeping traffic in the area moving safely.
Among those gathered at the blockade was Independent Ireland TD for Limerick Richard O'Donoghue.
Mr O'Donoghue was unconcerned about threats that the Defence Forces were to be deployed.
"If they do show up, and I've been listening to different messages across the board, they've been trying to get different things lifted here but the trucks that they need to lift the trucks are actually in the protest because they can't move. So, the recovery trucks that they want to recover us can't move, because they can't afford to move.
"We have to stay here until Michael Martin sees sense and opens up dialogue."
When asked what he made of reports that Limerick would be the first affected to run out if fuel, Mr O'Donoghue said: "If it takes for Limerick to run out of fuel for the Government to see sense, to see how important it is to have these things moving: That's what the Government can't grasp.
Asked what it would take to lift the blockade, Mr O'Donoghue said: "Number one is dialogue; Michael Martin needs to get off his high horse and meet the real people of Ireland. These are the real, middle class that work tirelessly for everyone in this community."
The âball is in the court of the Governmentâ to resolve ongoing fuel protests, Sinn FĂ©in leader Mary Lou McDonald has said, as she called for talks with the Taoiseach and TĂĄnaiste.
Ms McDonald said there was no need for the Government to further escalate the situation and urged it to engage directly with protesters.
She said the Government had been warned that cuts to petrol and diesel excise, as well as the NORA levy, would not be sufficient.
âThey simply did not want to know and now we have this situation out on our streets and the ball is in the court of the Government. They, after all, govern," Ms McDonald said.
âThey are responsible to keep the wheel turning and to ensure that businesses and families and workers and farmers are supported.
âIâm saying to them directly, there is no need for further escalation. There is no need for them to aggravate this situation any further.âÂ
She called on the Government to âpick up the phoneâ to protesters and introduce âsufficient measuresâ.
Speaking on , Tourism Minister Patrick OâDonovan said a âline had been oversteppedâ and reiterated that the Government would engage only with established representative groups.
He said a âvery substantialâ number of garages had run out of petrol, particularly in rural areas.
âA lot of them were closed early this morning,â Mr OâDonovan said.
âEmergency vehicles, for instance, the ambulance service and the gardaĂ will operate on fuel cards.
âI don't think any thought has been put into when those tanks run dry, how is it an expectant mother supposed to get to St Munchenâs Hospital in Limerick if her waters break.
âWe've had a situation on the M7 where people have basically been told if you come forward with a letter, the warden of the protest will decide whether you get through or not.
âWe've also seen scuffles in relation to people trying to get to work and other people blockading it.
âEverybody has a right to protest, and I support that, but the wrong people here now are going to get brought before the courts, and that's my genuine concern.
âThe ringleaders of this will walk off into the sunset, and the wrong people will be brought before the court.â
Taoiseach MicheĂĄl Martin has been accused of showing "zero" respect for protesters after he entered an industrial estate in Macroom through a back entrance to avoid them.
They claimed they're are people who are putting food on the table and the reason why they are protesting against rising fuel costs is so families wonât have to pay âŹ5 for a loaf of bread.
More than 20 men gathered this morning outside the entrance to the IDA industrial estate in Macroom, where MicheĂĄl Martin was attending the opening of an âŹ8m plant extension by Cygnum, a firm specialising in the manufacture of timber frame structures.
GearĂłid Crowley, who described himself as âan extremely small contractor, a one-man operationâ from Bantry, said the fact that Mr Martin had entered the estate by a rear gate, avoiding the protest, was a mark of the respect he had for the protesters, âwhich is zeroâ.
Mr Crowley said that like many contractors, his fuel bill had soared in recent weeks and he is asking the Government for help.
âMy fuel bill is getting out of control and itâs getting hard to make ends meet."
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Up to 40 forecourts are already without fuel, and that number âcould touch 100 by the end of the day,â if the protests continue to blockade fuel depots across the country.
That's according to Vincent Jennings, CEO of the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA), who said the number of forecourts without fuel is âgrowing by the hourâ, with Munster particularly badly hit.
He warned that shortages could last into next week, even if the blockades end soon.
Queues are now being seen at forecourts across the country. A queue of 15 vehicles was reported in Rathkeale, Co Limerick, this morning.
Health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and chief executive officer of the Health Service Executive Anne OâConnor have jointly called for all approaches to medical facilities to be kept clear during ongoing protests.
Ms MacNeill and Ms OâConnor said access was required for emergency services, for patients attending medical appointments and to ensure staff can get to work.
They said: âAttending hospital or receiving treatment in the community, whether in an emergency situation or for a routine appointment, is a vulnerable time for a patient and their family.
âPlease respect the critical need for clear and safe access to all healthcare services, to ensure that access to care is never compromised.â
A statement from Children's Health Ireland said: "CHI is asking those involved in the road blockages to allow the free passage of all emergency vehicles, both on blue lights heading to an emergency, towards a hospital, and returning to their base to continue their work.
"Please be extra vigilant and compliant if you hear emergency sirens approaching and do not wait until the emergency vehicles reach the blockades, please allow the other blocked traffic through in advance, so the route is clear for service vehicles to approach."
Protesters blocking fuel depots and other critical infrastructure are breaking the law, and gardaĂ will begin enforcement if people do not disperse, the Deputy Garda Commissioner has said.
Shawna Coxon, the Deputy Commissioner for Operations, said the protests had evolved into blockades, citing efforts to prevent access to the Whitegate oil refinery and depots in Galway and Foynes.
âIt is clear that some people have significantly escalated an already difficult situation by targeting critical infrastructure such as fuel depots and refineries. These are no longer protests. They are blockades,â Ms Coxon said.
âThese blockades are putting at risk supplies of food, fuel, clean water and animal feed. These are critical for the nation and its people. This is not tolerable, and it is against the law.â
 Protesters blockading the bypass in Macroom, where the Taoiseach is due to this morning, have vowed to remain there for âas long as it takesâ.
Ahead of his arrival messages were sent on Whatsapp last night urging that his exit from the town be blocked.
More than 100 people were gathered on the road just after 9am, with more than 60 trucks, tractors, lorries and cars blocking the road from the city side, with traffic diverted through the town.
They heard repeated calls from organisers to remain peaceful throughout the protest, and claims that âGovernment botsâ would try to stir up violence.
An ambulance was let through earlier in the morning, and a garda car was parked at the city side of the bypass.
One organiser instructed the crowd â mostly men wearing orange or yellow hi-vis bibs - that they have to maintain the high ground, adding that âwhoever breaks the peace first loses thisâ.
He claimed that the Government is âready to fallâ and it wouldnât take much to topple it.
âLads, I would plead with ye to remain peaceful, we are peaceful people, we are working people and weâre protesting peacefully, and the public is on our side, as long as we remain peaceful we have the upper hand,â he said.
âWe are here for the long haul and we will stay here as long as it takes, we have people ready to take our place if any of us have to leave, there is no problem with numbers.âÂ
An overnight protest at the Irving Oil Refinery in east Cork continues this morning, as participants say if they are moved on from the site, "we'll only be back again".
Up to a dozen trucks and tractors have gathered at the facility in Whitegate, having begun the blockade at the refinery gates at 6pm on Wednesday evening as part of the ongoing nationwide fuel protest.
Access to the Port of Cork facilities at Ringaskiddy is currently restricted due to the ongoing national protest, a statement from the port said this morning.
Speaking to the at Whitegate, Cobh-based truck driver Jason Barry said protesters âhave to make a stand and have to be seenâ.
 Justice minister Jim OâCallaghan said this morning that the Defence Forces have been asked to assist the gardaĂ to move protesters blocking oil refineries and terminals. Â
It comes as protesters continue to block roads around Dublin and motorways around the country in opposition to the rising price of fuel.
Mr OâCallaghan said that the blocking of infrastructure will not be allowed and that people should not âcomplainâ if their vehicles are damaged.
A Defence Forces spokesperson confirmed that the army has now been formally requested to help gardaĂ.
They said: "The Defence Forces can confirm assistance has been requested from An Garda SiochĂĄna in the form of heavy vehicle recovery.
"As this operation is ongoing, we will not provide further comment until it is concluded."
A spokesperson for Mr OâCallaghan had said the Defence Forces would be deployed to move people.
âThe Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has confirmed that it is well established in law that the Defence Forces may assist An Garda SĂochĂĄna in aid to the civil power, when requested and when required,â a spokesperson said.
âOn each occasion that the support of the Defence Forces is required, An Garda SĂochĂĄna issues a form C70 to the Defence Forces to request their assistance.
âThe blocking of critical national infrastructure will not be permitted to continue and the assistance of the Defence Forces has been requested.Â
"Large vehicles blocking critical infrastructure will be removed.
âOwners of those vehicles should remove them immediately this morning and should not complain later about any damage caused to those vehicles during removal.
âDenying people access to fuel and clean water is an unacceptable interference in the most basic of human rightâ.
Foreign affairs and defence minister Helen McEntee said that that the Defence Forces "are always available to consider any requests for assistance from An Garda Siochana.
"Ensuring that critical supplies for our country and its people are able to flow across our country is absolutely essential.
"I remain in close contact with government colleagues and the Chief of Staff."
Government sources said on Thursday morning that the blockading of fuel depots had changed the situation.
The Taoiseach has said fuel price protests have gone âbeyond the paleâ and risk damaging the economy.
MicheĂĄl Martin said it is âunacceptable that people would be denied access to clean waterâ as he expressed concerns about the impact of people trying to get around Dublin.
Speaking on RTĂ , Mr Martin questioned who the protesters were, as he again said the Government will not engage with these groups.
Fire chiefs have urged fuel protesters in Dublin to make sure they don't block access to the city by emergency services.
The call follows incidents in which blockages delayed the passage of some emergency vehicles.
In an appeal to the fuel protesters in a comment on their Facebook page, fire chiefs said: "Dublin Fire Brigade are appealing to all involved in the fuel protests in Dublin City Centre to ensure the free passage of all emergency vehicles, both on blue lights heading to an emergency and also returning to base to serve their operational area.
âEarlier this morning Dublin Fire Brigade experienced significant delays in their response to emergencies, particularly mobilising from Townsend Street HQ.
âAlternative mobilisation routes are being employed, with the use of empty Luas lines etc.Â
âThe situation has eased somewhat, due to the excellent cooperation with An Garda Siochana, liaising with protesters and clearing routes for our vehicles.
âWe continue to work with the other emergency services to ensure operational readiness and emergency access, and we ask all involved to be extra vigilant and compliant when they hear emergency sirens approaching.âÂ
They added: âDo not wait until the emergency vehicles reach the blockades, please allow the other blocked traffic through in advance, so the route is clear for our vehicles to approach.â
Fuel terminals have been blocked in Galway and Foynes, while the Whitegate Oil Refinery has also been barricaded.
Todayâs protests will be held across Ireland, including in Cork, Dublin, Waterford, Wexford, Sligo, Donegal, Clare, Limerick and Portlaoise..
In Dublin, they include a blockade in place around a key city centre pinch point at College Green.
Protest organisers said the blockade at Corkâs Whitegate refinery is to stay in place, with extra vehicles due to have arrived overnight to help enforce it.
A convoy which gathered at the Shannonpark roundabout has moved to join the blockade of the Port of Cork. A number of areas around Ringaskiddy are understood to be currently blocked while other towns in Cork are due to be affected. These include Midleton, Watergrasshill, Ballincollig, Mallow, Macroom, Clonakilty, Ballyhooly and âsurrounding county routes".
Protest plans also include sections of the M8 in Thurles and the M7 at Limerick, which has been closed down in both directions around Junction 28.
Protesters were due to leave in ârollingâ convoys to Dublin from locations including the Kinnegad Plaza, the M7 Junction 14 at Monasterevin, the Navan Retail Park, an area of the M1 at Castlebellingham and the south side of the N11 into Dublin from Wicklow.
Other convoys were also due to take part in a âhigh-visibility rolling protestâ over the Shannon crossing.
The main Portumna-Banagher Bridge point - which carries the R356 across the River Shannon between Offaly and Galway - was due to see a âsoft-impact, high-visibility traffic movementâ from early this morning.
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