Protesters block oil truck at Cork's Whitegate site despite garda access to refinery

Gardaí secure refinery access but tensions escalate as protesters block tanker and vow to remain without Government assurances

A standoff is currently underway between gardaí and protesters at the Whitegate oil refinery in east Cork after a fuel tanker was blocked from entering the site.

Gardaí confirmed they had established entry to the refinery, with layers of barriers erected around the protest area, effectively containing demonstrators within a designated zone.

However, protesters left the original blockade site and are now at the far side of the garda cordon, stopping trucks from accessing the oil refinery. 

One protester climbed on top of a fuel truck and waved a Tricolour.

Earlier, two fuel trucks were allowed into the refinery earlier with the permission of protesters, in an effort to ensure emergency services had fuel and homes were not deprived of heating oil.

However, tensions escalated after two full tankers left the refinery under garda escort around an hour later. 

More than 100 demonstrators moved to block the road, with gardaí intervening to prevent protesters from surrounding another truck.

"People are very angry," protester Anthony Kelleher said.

“They have escalated this now. We’re blocked in here. It’s disgraceful to be treated like this by your own government.

"We’ll be staying here, a week, two weeks, three weeks. As long as it costs us less to keep a truck parked than [working] on the road."

Standoff between Gardai and protesters at Whitegate as protesters prevent a fuel tanker from entering the Irving Oil refinery on Friday afternoon. Picture: Larry Cummins

Mr Kelleher said protesters would leave immediately if they believed the Government was engaging with their concerns.

"We’re all peaceful people. We know the gardaí have to do what they have to do," he said, adding that protesters had allowed non-fuel deliveries and workers to pass freely.

"We had agreed with gardaí to open the road for kerosene last night. Not one tanker went in last night.

"One went in with liquid nitrogen, we had no issue with that. Food trucks have gone in and out. We have not blocked a single worker from getting in or out."

Another protester said they felt “double-crossed” after barriers were put in place and access to the refinery was secured by the State.

Separately, at Foynes Port in Co Limerick, protesters allowed critical deliveries to leave following what gardaí described as "positive and constructive engagement".

"An Garda Síochána has and continues to engage extensively with those taking part in fuel protests across the country to facilitate peaceful protest while protecting public safety," a garda spokesperson said.

Garda public order unit setting up policing barricades at the blockade on Friday at Whitegate, Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

Protesters at Whitegate insist they will not leave until they receive assurances on lowering fuel costs, which they say have surged in recent weeks.

Agricultural contractor Dan McAuliffe said the rise in fuel prices is placing severe pressure on workers across the sector.

“We need help because it's not sustainable what we're doing now. It's the mental impact it's going to have on people across the board. The pressure's on farmers, on hauliers, on customers.

"The mental health strain it's going to put on people down the line is going to be scary. And that's what is coming, when lads can't pay bills, when they've a shed loads of animals outside that they can't feed, they can't provide for. That's going to put a crazy mental strain on people."

Protesters shelter under the bonnet of a truck during heavy rain on Friday at Whitegate, Cork. Picture: Larry Cummins

Fellow protester Niall Linehan said demonstrators were acting on behalf of the wider public.

"Everyone is standing outside here in the last few days, day and night, and they're supporting the whole country across the board. Whether it's home heating oil, it's the petrol, diesel, everyone is sick of [the cost of] it.

"We're getting unbelievable support from the public. It’s uplifting to see that the public are behind us."

At the site, tents have been erected to shelter protesters from heavy rain, with locals delivering food and supplies including sandwiches, cakes, and hot drinks to those gathered at the blockade.