Best Reads<\/p>\n
Ronan McGreevy – 4 minutes ago<\/p>\n
Demands of protestors to be \u2018interrogated\u2019 on Friday, Social Protection Minister says![\"Dara](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/T6HFEKPAENHEZM2EGDJ2KWR22A.JPG\")
Dara Calleary, Minister for Social Protection said gardai will make operational decisions as to whether the army will get involved. Photograph: Alan Betson \/ The Irish Times<\/p>\n
Caroline Cleary reports:<\/p>\n
Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary has said An Garda Siochana will decide whether to call in the army to remove blockades after an announcement by Justice Minister Jim O\u2019Callaghan that the Defence Forces would be deployed overnight. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe gardai will make operational decisions as to whether the army will get involved,\u201d Calleary said as most of the blockades remained in place this morning. <\/p>\n
The Minister confirmed that a meeting with recognised organisations representing groups with fuel price concerns would take place this afternoon and that it was up to those organisations whether to bring protesters to the talks. <\/p>\n
The main organisations \u2013 the IFA, Irish Road Haulage Association and Farm Contractors Ireland \u2013 which have been invited to the meeting are not officially behind the protests. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not dictating who can come to that meeting from the organisations so certainly if protestors come representing the farm organisations, we\u2019re not dictating that they can\u2019t come\u201d he told RTE\u2019s Morning Ireland. <\/p>\n
Calleary said measures suggested by protesters, such as a cap on fuel prices and further tax cuts, would be \u201cinterrogated\u201d but he stressed the Government had already provided \u20ac250 million worth of supports. <\/p>\n
Ronan McGreevy – 40 minutes ago<\/p>\n
Protestors close to Rosslare Europort were served with a section 8 of the Public Order Act by gardai last night, Sarah Slater reports.<\/b><\/p>\n
Gardai in the village of Kilrane over a loudspeaker issued a warning to protestors that they that had to leave the area and failure to do so \u201cin a peaceful and orderly manner\u201d would lead them to \u201cpossibly\u201d being arrested and conviction liable to a \u20ac1,000 fine or a six-month-prison sentence.<\/p>\n
The garda added: \u201cI would just urge you all to please peacefully remove yourselves from the area.\u201d<\/p>\n
Many of the protesters retorted by saying: \u201cThe people of Ireland say no.\u201d The incident was recorded by scores of those gathered.<\/p>\n
Local Aount\u00fa councillor Jim Codd said \u201cthere were extraordinary scenes\u201d in Rosslare. \u201cThe Government has it in their power to stop this now,\u201d Cllr Codd added.<\/p>\n
An army truck has also been reported to be at the location.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Co Kilkenny numerous filling stations have reported that they have no fuel left following a surge in motorists panic buying.<\/p>\n
Service stations locations include Thomastown, Goresbridge, Slieverue and Kilkenny city.<\/p>\n
Sections of the M9 northbound also remained blocked on Friday morning.<\/p>\n
Ronan McGreevy – 45 minutes ago<\/p>\n
Protests impact M50, M1, M7, M8 and M18<\/p>\n
Fuel protests on a range of national routes this morning are causing disruption for motorists. <\/p>\n
In Dublin, the M50 northbound is blocked at Junction 6, which will impact traffic heading to Dublin Airport. <\/p>\n
The M1 southbound is blocked at Junction 3 (where it meets the M50) and also at Junction 18th, which is the Carlingford exit. <\/p>\n
The M7 remains closed at Portlaoise in both directions, while the M8 northbound from Cashel to Cahir is also blocked by protests. <\/p>\n
In Limerick the M7 is blocked at Annacotty in both directions and the traffic delays are backing up to the Limerick tunnel.<\/p>\n
The M18 IN Co Clare is blocked at Dromoland. <\/p>\n
Ronan McGreevy – 48 minutes ago<\/p>\n
As the protest action enters into a fourth day, tensions are beginning to rise, particularly in relation to access to health services for vulnerable patients.<\/p>\n
Prof John Crown, oncologist, had this to say on X, formerly Twitter.<\/p>\n
\nNever dawned on me that so many of my cancer patients who suffered delays getting to hospital due to the protests had been personally responsible for the global energy crisis. How naive I was.<\/p>\n
\u2014 ProfJohnCrown (@ProfJohnCrown) April 9, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Ronan McGreevy – 52 minutes ago<\/p>\n
Number of forecourts without fuel to get \u2018much, much worse\u2019 on Friday as protest continues<\/p>\n
Fuel supplies at more Irish forecourts are under threat of running dry as a days-long blockade of major supply depots continues.<\/p>\n
Hauliers and agricultural contractors began a series of protests on Tuesday, which have grown from slow-moving convoys on motorways and restricted access to Dublin\u2019s busiest streets, to blockades of fuel depots that supply half the country.<\/p>\n
They want the Government to commit to further action on fuel costs.<\/p>\n
A spokesman for the protesters said some participants may attend a meeting with 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.<\/p>\n
Their widespread action enters a fourth day on Friday with demonstrators facing a reaction from the Irish police service, An Garda Siochana, which said it was entering an \u201cenforcement\u201d phase of its response \u2013 accompanied by support from the military.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The Government\u2019s intolerance of the action escalated on Thursday, with Justice Minister Jim O\u2019Callaghan and Defence Minister Helen McEntee stating that the Defence Forces \u201cremain on standby\u201d to assist the police in clearing heavy vehicles from the blockades.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
A leading industry representative warned that the number of forecourts running dry would get \u201cmuch, much worse\u201d from Thursday evening\u2019s position of affected service stations being in the \u201clow double digits\u201d.<\/p>\n
Fuels For Ireland chief executive Kevin McPartland said \u201cpanic buying has absolutely taken hold\u201d and warned that \u201creal significant life-death problems are going to be caused\u201d with fuel supplies to emergency service vehicles under threat.<\/p>\n
Ireland\u2019s emergency planning group echoed the comments with \u201cserious concern\u201d, saying there may be an impacts on availability for some vital services, supply chains and public transport.<\/p>\n
The National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) said Ireland\u2019s overall fuel supplies remain \u201crobust and resilient\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
Ireland\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
The HSE also warned that the blockades could disrupt the time-sensitive delivery of key medicines and medical devices.<\/p>\n
– PA<\/p>\n
Ronan McGreevy – 1 hour ago<\/p>\n
IRHA to act as \u2018honest broker\u2019 between protesters and Government <\/p>\n
Ger Hyland, president of the Irish Road Haulage Association, said he had been asked to act as an \u201chonest broker\u201d on the issue ahead of a planned stakeholders meeting on Friday.<\/p>\n
Speaking on Friday morning, Hyland said he had spoken to \u201cintermediaries\u201d for the protesters but had yet to meet the protesters themselves.<\/p>\n
Two people from the IRHA are due to attend a meeting with the Government, along with other stakeholders, on Friday afternoon, Hyland said.<\/p>\n
In advance of that meeting, the IRHA had made itself available to talk to the protesters \u201cand bring their concerns into Government\u201d.<\/p>\n
He said this was dependent on the protesters being \u201chappy that we will bring them concerns with us. If they\u2019re not, well then there is nothing more we can do for this,\u201d Hyland told RT\u00c9 Radio\u2019s Morning Ireland.<\/p>\n
Ronan McGreevy – 1 hour ago<\/p>\n
Luas Green line services disrupted <\/p>\n
Due to the fuel protest in Dublin city centre Luas Green Line services are currently not operating between St Stephen\u2019s Green and Dominick St. Services are operating between Broombridge and Dominick St and between St Stephen\u2019s Green and Brides Glen only. <\/p>\n
\n\u26a0\ufe0fPassengers, please be advised Green Line services are currently not operating between St. Stephen’s Green and Dominick. Services are operating between Broombridge and Dominick and between St. Stephen’s Green and Brides Glen only. This is due to a protest at O’Connell Bridge. We\u2026<\/p>\n
\u2014 Luas (@Luas) April 9, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Ronan McGreevy – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n
Fuel protesters explain the pressures they are facing Protesters in Dublin explain why they joined the convoys to demonstrate against the price of fuel. Video: Chris Maddaloni North and south quays in Dublin are open <\/p>\n
The north and south quays in Dublin are open for traffic as normal today but O\u2019Connell St bridge remains closed for traffic. <\/p>\n
Ronan McGreevy – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n
Taoiseach open to further measures to ease fuel prices<\/p>\n
The Taoiseach has said further measures to ease fuel prices<\/a>, including the broadening of existing measures, could be possible through negotiations. <\/p>\n
This is thought to include further relief on green diesel and a possible extension of the diesel rebate scheme. However, it is thought unlikely that any price caps will be on the table.<\/p>\n
It is understood some backchannels have been opened to the protesters through Government TDs, which could facilitate exchanges, though Government is anxious not to undercut established organisations.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are open to mechanisms,\u201d the Taoiseach said on Thursday night. \u201cBut the strikes will have to end first.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ronan McGreevy – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n
Fuel protesters claim they have secured meeting<\/p>\n
Fuel price protesters say they have secured a meeting with Government Ministers<\/a>, according to an organiser of the demonstrations who pledged to continue disruptions for a fourth day on Friday.<\/p>\n
One of the protest organisers, James Geoghegan, claimed negotiators will join a meeting at Government Buildings on Friday afternoon, alongside the Irish Road Haulage Association<\/a> and the Irish Farmers\u2019 Association<\/a>.<\/p>\n
It comes as forecourts across the country are running low on fuel as protesters continued blockades on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Speaking on RT\u00c9<\/a>\u2019s Prime Time on Thursday night, Geoghegan described the meeting as a \u201cbreakthrough\u201d, though added that disruptions will continue on Friday regardless.<\/p>\n
Ronan McGreevy – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n
Dubin Bus warns of severe service disruption <\/p>\n
Dubin Bus has warned customers on Friday morning that due to the ongoing fuel price protests it is \u201cexperiencing ongoing severe service disruptions and delays\u201d which has resulted in a number of services being cancelled or diverted. A full list is available on the Dublin Bus website. <\/p>\n
\n#DBSvcUpdate<\/a> Road closures remain in place this morning as a result of a protest. We are experiencing service disruptions across the Dublin Bus network, please allow additional travel time. More details here:https:\/\/t.co\/DjkxMSErwr<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 dublinbusnews (@dublinbusnews) April 10, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n