Gardaí to change approach to protests in wake of Whitegate fuel blockade

'I think we would see a far different approach if we had [a blockade] this weekend' – Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly

Tense scenes between gardaí and fuel price protesters at Cork's Whitegate oil refinery on Saturday, April 11. Picture: Larry Cummins

Gardaí would “certainly move more quickly” if a blockade of critical infrastructure — such as the Whitegate oil refinery during the fuel protests — were to happen again, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly has said.

“I think we would see a far different approach if we had one this weekend,” Mr Kelly told the first ever-public meeting of the Policing and Community Safety Authority in Cork.