Traffic chaos in Cork as fuel protests disrupt roads and bus services
Rolling protest heading east to the Jack Lynch tunnell. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
Commuters in Cork are facing significant disruption this morning as fuel protests enter a second day, with delays, diversions and cancellations reported across the county.
Gardaí have warned of “significant” delays nationwide, with slow-moving convoys impacting traffic in Cork, Limerick, Dublin, Tipperary and Galway.
Areas in Cork that are impacted this morning include Ringaskiddy, as several trucks have created a blockage across the Shannonpark Roundabout.
Locally, motorists are experiencing hold-ups in both directions on the Macroom bypass.
Bus services in Cork have also been affected, with Bus Éireann warning of delays across Cork City routes due to ongoing protest activity. Some services are running up to 45 minutes late.
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Route 220 is among the worst impacted, with services unable to operate via Carr’s Hill in either direction due to protests in Carrigaline. Buses are instead being diverted via Donnybrook Hill, Ballinrea Road and Cork Road, terminating at the Primary Care Centre.
Several services have also been cancelled, including the 7.30am Route 226X from Kinsale to MTU, and the 7.30am Route 233 from Crookstown to Cork, along with the 7.35am service from Cork to Macroom.
Separately, Route 226 services are unable to stop at Ballinabearna Cross, Riverstick, Belgooly and Bridge View between 8am and 6pm due to ongoing roadworks.
A participant in yesterday's fuel protests in Cork has said that diesel price increases will lead to a situation “bigger than Covid” if there is no reduction in taxes, and the public could be without food on their tables “within the next month”.
Agricultural equipment supplier Dave Mulcahy's comments came as the widespread protest saw thousands of commuters in the county impacted by traffic disruptio
Speaking to The Echo, Cork-based business owner Mr Mulcahy, who was among more than 200 protestors at the Jack Lynch Tunnel, said there is “only one case scenario – no best case – the fuel prices need to come back down to what they were”.
“We’re out protesting because the fuel prices are too high,” said Mr Mulcahy.
“We’re facing a worldwide recession, things have to come down or the whole country is going to go broke.
“We’re not stopping traffic – we just can’t afford to move,” he added.
“We’re in the hard shoulder and the slow lane, and there is no emergency exit or emergency route that is blocked.
“We might be here again tomorrow too – it’s up to the government when they want to do something. This will be bigger than Covid, something has to give because people will have no food on their tables within the next month."
The protests, involving hauliers, farmers, contractors and other commercial operators, are taking place in response to rising fuel prices. Demonstrations began on Tuesday, with tractors and agricultural vehicles seen in towns and cities across the country.
Elsewhere, protesters remained on the M7 outside Limerick overnight, where around 80 vehicles gathered, while delays have also been reported on the N21 and Ballysimon Road in the city. In Tipperary, traffic is affected on the M8 between junctions 6 and 9 northbound.
In Dublin, protest activity has led to disruption in the city centre, including on O’Connell Street, O’Connell Bridge and along both quays.
A Dublin Bus spokesperson, Blake Boland, said the impact in the capital had been severe.
“Essentially anything that’s trying to come across the city is trapped,” he told RTÉ’s .
While disruption is being felt nationwide, Cork commuters are being advised to allow extra time for journeys and to check for service updates as protests continue throughout the day.
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