Ireland is facing unprecedented protests amid soaring fuel prices fueled by conflict in the Middle East and disruption to global oil transport. Roadblocks and fuel shortages are already affecting the entire country.
An Irish protester said he was willing to “block the country” to force down fuel prices as the country faces a fourth consecutive day of roadblocks, according to the BBC.
Roadblocks, airport delays and widespread protests
Traffic is affected in several regions of Ireland and passengers heading to Dublin Airport have been advised to allow extra time for their journey. On Thursday, several people were seen walking on the highway, dragging their luggage, due to gridlock caused by the protests.
John Dallon, a farmer from Kildare and one of the representatives of the Dublin protesters, told RTÉ that the actions could continue “another week, maybe two”and if necessary, the demonstrators are prepared to stay “for a month”.
As well as blocking major roads, protesters also occupied several fuel terminals in Foynes (Limerick), Galway Port and the Whitegate refinery in east County Cork, where police are present.
Authorities call for calm, but warn of consequences
Martin Heydon, the Irish Minister for Agriculture, and Timmy Dooley, the Minister of State are due to meet with representatives of the protesters. Dooley told BBC Radio Ulster that the right to protest was respected but turning demonstrations into blockades required “an urgent de-escalation”.
Jim O'Callaghan, the justice minister, warned that some actions could have “clegal consequences”including on the driving licenses of the participants.
The Irish police state that “dialogue intensively” with the protesters, while the army was called in on Thursday to remove vehicles blocking the roads.
Hundreds of gas stations without fuel
Fuels for Ireland has announced that more than 100 petrol stations have run out of fuel, particularly in Munster and the west of the country. The situation could worsen, with the number of stations in this situation reaching five times higher by Friday evening. About half of new fuel deliveries are stuck in warehouses because of the protests.
Fuel prices are rising, but the Competition Council sees no irregularities. “The only risk is if we have lower prices than the surrounding countries”
The National Health Service has asked that access to hospitals and clinics remain free, warning that delays in consultations are seriously affecting patients.
What are the protesters saying?
Many of those involved are farmers or transporters, directly affected by the price increase:
“Without farms, there is no future” says one of them.
Another says current prices are “unsustainable” and calls for fuel duty to be scrapped, and the organizer of a massive protest in Donegal says he took to the streets after the government suggested the army might be involved.
Roads closed and services suspended
Several sections of the M50 are closed and disruption has been reported in counties Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, Laois, Offaly, Kildare, Galway, Cork and Dublin.
Courier company DPD Ireland has announced the temporary suspension of services in the Republic of Ireland from Saturday.
Several streets were blocked. PHOTO capture Irish Mirror
The rise in fuel prices is directly linked to tensions in the Middle East and the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world's oil trade passes.
The price of diesel in Ireland has risen in recent weeks from around €1.70/litre to €2.17/litre and petrol has risen by up to 25 cents/litre.
Protesters are calling for a cap on diesel prices, the removal of the carbon tax and urgent government intervention to stabilize the market
