Fuel protest to cause traffic disruption during rush hour in Cork on Tuesday morning

A nationwide fuel protest is anticipated to cause significant traffic disruptions across Cork on Tuesday morning.

The protest is being organised by local activists across Ireland over rising diesel, petrol and home heating oil prices, as a consequence of the ongoing war in the Middle East.

Motorists should be prepared for slow moving traffic, heavy congestion and knock-on delays across the wider city network.

This is in particular around the Jack Lynch Tunnel, N40 South Ring Road and main approach roads into Cork city.

Rolling convoys are planned from around 7:30am to 10:30am, with planned routes including from Ballincollig to Jack Lynch Tunnel and return, Watergrasshill to Jack Lynch Tunnel and return, Midleton to Little Island and return, Mallow to Blarney and return, along with Macroom and wider West Cork routes.

Motorists travelling tomorrow morning are advised to plan ahead and allow for additional time for morning journeys.

Protest orgainsers state although it will be peaceful, the scale of it will impact traffic across the city.

The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has said it will not be participating in Tuesday’s planned nationwide fuel protest.

In a statement issued at lunchtime on Monday the IRHA said: “We fully understand, empathise with, and share the frustration felt across the sector.

“Hauliers and transport operators continue to face significant challenges due to increased fuel prices and rising operating costs.

“However, the IRHA wishes to make it clear that, at this point in time, we are not involved in the organisation of this protest and will not be participating.” The IRHA statement continued:

“Our focus remains on constructive engagement with the department of transport to deliver supports for our members.” “We had a very engaging meeting with Minister O’Brien last Friday. We will be meeting him again shortly, along with officials from the department."

The Coach Tourism and Transport Council (CTTC) also acknowledged tomorrow’s protest, saying there is no doubt that bus and coach operators are facing sustained and serious cost pressures, and are dealing with a very challenging operating environment.

However, a spokesperson added, the CTTC is not involved in the planning or coordination of the protest and we will not be taking part in it. 

"We would ask protestors to keep bus lanes clear so that buses and coaches can move freely around the country and help keep Ireland moving. Our efforts remain firmly directed towards working with Government, in particular the Department of Finance, and the Department of Transport, to seek practical measures that will assist our members during this period of exceptional cost inflation."

In a statement, the gardaí said they were aware of proposals for vehicle gatherings, and associated public activity, at various locations around the country from early tomorrow morning.

"An Garda Síochána understands it is proposed that convoys of vehicles (including HGVs, agricultural and plant vehicles) will gather at various locations across the country. It is understood that the proposed convoys, potentially slow moving, will travel primarily along National Primary Routes.

"It is proposed that some of these convoys will remain in regional locations, and some will travel to Dublin to congregate in the Dublin region.

"If the convoys materialise and congregate, it is expected that there will be significant additional traffic, including slow-moving vehicles, on the main arteries leading to Dublin and in the vicinity of large urban areas across the country from 0800hrs."

It added that the Garda has had limited interaction with those involved in publishing information about these convoys. 

"As the majority of the organisation of these convoys is taking place on social media platforms and messaging apps, An Garda Síochána is not in a position to provide accurate or detailed advice to the general public at this time.

"Members of the public travelling on National Primary Routes tomorrow 7th April 2026 are advised to plan their journeys by ensuring they leave additional time for possible traffic disruptions and to expect traffic delays, if congestion is caused as a result of these convoys."

The statement added that An Garda Síochána has no role in permitting or authorising public gatherings or protests and that there is no permit required in order to organise any protest.