Traffic disruption on the M1 in Dundalk continues this morning

Traffic disruption on the M1 in Dundalk continues this morning with Junction 18 southbound obstructed as the national fuel protests have entered their fourth day. 

Social media posts circulating last night again called for protesters to meet at 5:00 AM this morning at Junction 20, with a plan to travel southbound along the M1 and temporarily block Junction 18, while a second slow-moving convoy was expected to continue southbound on the M1.

Fuel supplies at some forecourts around the country are under threat of running dry as a days-long blockade of major supply depots continues.

A spokesman for the protesters said some participants may attend a meeting with the Government on Friday that was originally scheduled for national representative bodies, with a coalition spokesman saying who the official groups bring is a matter for them.

However, as of Friday morning it is understood there are no protesters on the list of attendees put forward by the representative bodies.

Speaking on RTE radio on Friday morning, Ger Hyland, president of the Irish Road Haulage Association, offered to act as an “honest broker” between protesters and government.

He said he had been in contact with the protesters “through intermediaries” and is available to meet some of the protesters before the meeting and bring their concerns with us into government.

Their widespread action enters a fourth day on Friday with demonstrators facing a reaction from An Garda Siochana, which said it was entering an “enforcement” phase of its response – accompanied by support from the military.

Social media footage late on Thursday showed gardai warning protesters they could be arrested if they did not peacefully disperse from an area near Rosslare Europort in Co Wexford.

Gardai posted on social media on Friday morning and said “critical deliveries” left the port overnight after “positive and constructive engagement with local protesters” during the fuel demonstrations.

The Government’s intolerance of the action escalated on Thursday, with Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan and Defence Minister Helen McEntee stating that the Defence Forces “remain on standby” to assist the police in clearing heavy vehicles from the blockades.

Protesters have restricted access to a major oil refinery in Whitegate, Co Cork, as well as fuel depots in Galway City and Foynes, Co Limerick.

It has raised concern over panic buying at forecourts, some of which have run out of fuel, as well as impacts on emergency services and deliveries of key supplies for animal welfare on farms.

A leading industry representative warned that the number of forecourts running dry would get “much, much worse” from Thursday evening’s position of affected service stations being in the “low double digits”.

Fuels For Ireland chief executive Kevin McPartlan said “panic buying has absolutely taken hold” and warned that “real significant life-death problems are going to be caused” with fuel supplies to emergency service vehicles under threat.

Ireland’s emergency planning group echoed the comments with “serious concern”, saying there may be an impacts on availability for some vital services, supply chains and public transport.

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The National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) said Ireland’s overall fuel supplies remain “robust and resilient” but said the obstruction of key routes from ports is threatening the provision of animal feed supplies, fertiliser and other vital materials, resulting in potential animal welfare issues and a threat to livelihoods in the agriculture sector.

Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE) said the disruption is causing people to miss medical appointments and is impacting the provision of home care and critical care, such as dialysis and cancer treatment.

The HSE also warned that the blockades could disrupt the time-sensitive delivery of key medicines and medical devices.