Gardaí instructed to ensure access to ports and fuel depots during protests

Government and gardaí respond to ongoing fuel protests, with concerns over disruption to transport, emergency services and supply chains

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

Gardaí have been instructed to ensure ports and fuel depots remain open as protesters continue to block access to key roads across the country.

Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan met with gardaí on Wednesday, telling them it is “essential that our ports and fuel depots remain open and fully accessible”.

Protesters have blocked access to key fuel depots in both Foynes and Galway, with concerns raised that this could lead to supply issues at forecourts in the west of the country.

“Government is well aware of the pressures on people from increased fuel costs, but democracy cannot be dictated to by an unelected group whose actions are now damaging the Irish public,” Mr O’Callaghan said.

“No one is above the law and those breaking the law should know that there are consequences for unlawful activity.”

He added that while the Government respects the right to protest, it “must be exercised lawfully and must respect the rights of others to earn a livelihood or to move freely”.

One Government source said gardaí have been told they are permitted to exercise their powers to move people on.

In a statement, a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said gardaí are continuing to engage with individuals protesting across the country.

“While these protests have been peaceful, they are causing significant disruption for people in some parts of the country,” the spokesperson said.

“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.

“Key public transports routes are also delayed or not operating, which means that employees and businesses are heavily impacted. A small number of fuel depots are also being blocked.

While An Garda Síochána respects and facilitates the right to peaceful protest, An Garda Síochána must also balance and protect the rights of individuals to travel freely and commercial organisations to conduct business.”

The spokesperson said they had asked protesters to allow diversion routes and emergency access routes to be set up.

Government ministers have been strongly critical of the protests, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin saying they had left O’Connell Street in Dublin like a car park.

Mr Martin said penalties would apply to people blocking streets, warning of fines for protesters.

“No one can just park a truck on O’Connell Street or in any other street and just leave it there. We have traffic laws. We have a variety of laws and fines that attach to that and I think those have to apply properly,” Mr Martin said.

The Taoiseach previously said the Government would not engage directly with the protest group, known as the People of Ireland Against Fuel Prices Protest.

He said the Government would only negotiate with established representative bodies, such as the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA).

Mr Martin said there had been reports of animal feedstuffs being prevented from leaving ports, adding this could lead to animal welfare issues.

On oil supplies, Mr Martin said there are good levels of reserves in place for the rest of the year.