Fire brigades and ambulances curtail operations as fuel shortages worsen across Ireland

Protesters on O'Connell Street in Dublin, on the fourth day of a National Fuel Protest against rising fuel prices. Picture: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Fire brigades will curtail their responses to non-life-threatening call-outs, while continuing to respond to 999 calls and urgent calls, and the National Ambulance Service will restrict transfers, as one third of the country’s petrol stations run dry.

As the National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) met on Friday to discuss the ongoing disruption caused by fuel protests and blockades at oil refineries and fuel depots, the public was urged not to panic-buy fuel or food.