Protests to take place over fuel prices on Tuesday

Sarah Slater

Dublin and other areas across the country are to be hit by a fuel protest that may bring major commuting routes to a standstill.

Motorists heading in the direction of Dublin on Tuesday from around the country are being warned that journeys will be affected by protests originating by county activists over spiralling diesel, petrol and home heating oil prices caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East.

National fuel protest assembly points involve the M1 Convoy meeting at Castlebellingham Services, the N2 Convoy at the Ardee - Carrickmacross link, N3 Convoy at Virginia Service Area/ Clonee Side, N4 Convoy at the Enfield Services, M7 Convoy at Junction 14 and N11 Convoy at Ashfield Services North. All the convoy protests are to assemble at 7 am.

An online statement from Athlone Stands Together explained that protestors must “obey the direction of protest marshals and keep lane discipline while being mindful of the Emergency services.

“Convoys will be leaving at various times between 8am and 9am.”

Other locations where protesters are encouraged to join are at the Red Cow, Liffey Valley, M50 North Services, Bray Northbound Merge and Nass Northbound Services.

The intention is for all convoys to merge and form one large convoy into Dublin. Full details of the route will be made available by organisers on Tuesday.

Protests are also being encouraged at Portumna Bridge in Galway, where many protesters from Clare, Tipperary, Offaly and Galway are expected to assemble.

Meanwhile, representatives from the Irish Road Haulage Association met with the Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien, to discuss the ongoing impact of the Middle East crisis on fuel costs. Hauliers are seeking extra support due to the situation.

The IRHA has said the fuel price crisis is approaching the level of "a national emergency" and has called on the Government to "react swiftly" and agree another package of measures with hauliers.

Two weeks ago, the Government announced a series of measures to help ease surging fuel costs in Ireland.

Deputy Vice President of the IRHA Eugene Brennan said that the price of fuel "has now gone way past" what it was when the first package of supports was announced.

"There are various things they can do and irrespective of the cost to the Exchequer, we are led to believe that we have funds that we put away for the rainy day," he added.

Limerick is also going to be hit by protests, with starting points for Tuesday’s rolling protest starting at Beary’s Cross in Ballysimon, Daly’s Cross Annacotty, Croom, Patrickswell and Bunratty village from 8 am.

All convoys will create major traffic disruption along the route as part of the protest, with the main objective being a continuous rolling blockade from Junction 29 on the M7 to Junction 2 on the N18, and back again in a circular route.

This route is designed to keep pressure on the area while maintaining a strong, visible presence throughout Limerick.There are other groups covering different parts of the country.

Independent Ireland TD Richard O’Donoghue, who is based in Limerick said in an online statement that the protest is about the Government taxation on fuel. The Government is taking huge taxes, while business and people starve…This is not about the war in Iran; it’s about the taxation on fuel.”

O’Donoghue appealed to those taking part to ensure that they leave all road hard shoulders free for emergency services.