‘If we get shifted, we’ll only be back again' says Whitegate protestor at Cork refinery blockade
Protesters at Whitegate oil refinery to protest rising fuel prices this morning. Picture: Noel Sweeney
‘If we get shifted, we’ll only be back again,” one of the protestors at the Whitegate Oil Refinery said this morning, as the Taoiseach confirmed the Defence Forces had been asked to clear routes to critical infrastructure, as the fuel protests enter a third day.
The overnight protest at the Whitegate Oil Refinery in East Cork continued this morning as participants said they will remain in-situ “for as long as possible”.
Up to a dozen trucks and tractors have gathered at the Irving Oil facility, having commenced the blockade at the gates of the refinery at 6pm yesterday evening as part of the ongoing nationwide protests. The garda have recently arrived at the scene also.
Speaking to , Cobh-based truck driver Jason Barry said protestors “have to make a stand and have to be seen”.
“I came out here last night and there was probably over 100 of us here, but as the morning went on, some people had to head out to work,” said Mr Barry.
“This is affecting everybody not just us, it goes across the board for food, hospitality, hospitals, everything – we genuinely don’t want to be here, but something has to be done.
“People need to know that trucks are what bring food to the shops and all of that’s going to go – it’s going to hit everybody.
“I don’t know if the protest is going to work, I hope it will – but we need more people, we’ve been ringing everyone to try get more bodies down here,” he added.
“We need people to make an appearance even for an hour, we have to make a stand and we have to be seen.
“The price of diesel has gone mental, we’re not asking for fuel to go down to 20c a litre, we just want something because it’s impacting all of us.” Another participant estimated that up to seven oil trucks have been turned away from the facility in East Cork since last night due to the blockade.
“I joined the protest at about 6pm yesterday, I had to leave and feed my cattle, but I came back and have been here since 10pm,” the participant said.
“Everybody has been taking turns sleeping in trucks and tractors, just to keep the gates manned, and about seven trucks have been turned away.
“It’s having an impact I think, we’re here for the food on the shelves as well, it’s not just about diesel.
“The Taoiseach’s comments yesterday actually united us more, a lot of people didn’t agree with what he said and the public outcry has been huge,” he added.
“It’ll show on shelves soon, people will start to see the effects of this in a couple of days – it’s all going to be stopped.” Another protestor said the protest is going to have “a serious knock-on effect”.
“I came down here this morning to support everyone," he said.
“This is all going to have a serious knock-on effect.
“Some people will have to go back to work tomorrow, but we’re going to keep things going,” he added.
“There are people frustrated with us, but it’s short-term pain for long term gain.
“It’s gaining momentum and getting attention and that’s what’s important.”
Meanwhile, protesters blockading the Macroom bypass this morning have vowed to remain there for “as long as it takes”.
They heard repeated calls from organisers to remain peaceful throughout the protest, and claims that “Government bots” would try to stir up violence.
More than 100 people were gathered on the road just after 9am, with more than 60 trucks, tractors, lorries and cars blocking the road from the city side, with traffic diverted through the town.
An ambulance was let through earlier in the morning, and a garda car was parked at the city side of the bypass.
One organiser instructed the crowd – mostly men wearing orange or yellow hi-vis bibs - to remain peaceful, saying that they had to maintain the high ground, adding that “whoever breaks the peace first loses this”.
He claimed that the Government was “ready to fall” and it wouldn’t take much to topple it.
“Lads, I would plead with ye to remain peaceful, we are peaceful people, we are working people and we’re protesting peacefully, and the public is on our side, as long as we remain peaceful we have the upper hand,” he said.
“We are here for the long haul and we will stay here as long as it takes, we have people ready to take our place if any of us have to leave, there is no problem with numbers.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin yesterday described the blockade of the Whitegate oil refinery as an act of “national sabotage”, a statement described by the Macroom protesters as “borderline unconstitutional”.
“Micheál Martin did us the greatest favour of all time saying what he said about us, and this Government is ready to fall because of it,” one organiser claimed.
“It won’t take much to bring this Government down, as long as we stay peaceful, because they are only waiting for an opportunity to come down hard on us and we can’t give them that opportunity.”
He repeated calls for peaceful protest and claimed that if there was violence, it would be stirred up by “Government bots”.
Protesters in Macroom heard that those blockading the Whitegate refinery would stand their ground but would not rise to provocation “if the army goes in”, as they were “fellas with cool heads”.
The mood at the protest was upbeat and friendly, but protesters were instructed not to talk to certain media outlets.
Mr Martin is due to open a factory in Macroom later this morning, and is due at Ballyvourney this afternoon. Messages were sent around WhatsApp last night urging that the Taoiseach’s exit from Macroom be blocked.
The Port of Cork has issued a statement this morning, saying access to the Port of Cork facilities at Ringaskiddy is currently restricted due to the ongoing national protest.
"Organisers have indicated that the blockade may be lifted at 11am today, with the potential of a further blockade anticipated this afternoon. This remains a developing situation and we are in close contact with organisers and An Garda Síochána," said the statement.
"While access to port facilities is being affected by external disruption, customers, staff and port users safety remains our top priority. We appreciate your understanding and patience."
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