Fuel protests: Gardaí advise protesters to ‘immediately cease’; closure on Dublin’s M50 with widespread traffic disruption

Main Points

• Nationwide fuel price protests have entered a third day as protesters continue to block O’Connell Street and O’Connell Bridge in Dublin city centre
• Gardaí advise protesters to “immediately cease blockades of critical infrastructure or face the full rigours of the law”
• The Defence Forces has been asked to deploy heavy vehicles to remove trucks blockading fuel depots and other critical infrastructure
• Full list of Dublin Bus services cancelled
• There is a full road closure on the M50 northbound at Junction 5, while delays have been reported elsewhere on the M50, M18, M9, M8, M7/N7, M4/N4, M3/N3 and several other routes. See full list of closures

Best Reads

• Price of home-heating oil has hit its highest level since 1996 amid Iran war
• How do gardaí weigh the right to protest with the rights of those affected?
• Where are the fuel protests and which roads are closed in Dublin and across Ireland?
• Letters to the Editor on fuel protests: Sir, I write this letter from Dublin’s Beckett Bridge, where I am stuck

Defence Forces ‘happy’ to provide supports to Gardaí, says chief of staff

Lieut Gen Rossa Mulcahy, Defence Forces chief of staff, said “the Defence Forces have been asked by An Garda Síochána to provide supports and happy to do that."

He said the support will be in the form of a heavy lift recovery vehicles to a number of locations around the country.

He added, “we’ll provide that for as long as An Garda Síochána need it.”

“There was other online commentary around the use of APCs (Armoured Personnel Carriers) travelling through Limerick, and I can confirm that that’s not associated with that particular task.

“That’s a separate exercise that’s ongoing for our personnel who are preparing to deploy overseas, and I have to acknowledge the significant courage and resilience of our personnel, currently serving overseas, and also the personal preparing to go, and it was separate incident,” he said.

Dublin Bus cancellations and diversions

Cancelled services due to the protest:

142 - 16:35, 16:50, 17:05 and 17:35 

P29 - 17:00, 17:20 and 17:40

51D - 17:15 

69X - 17:45

X1 - 16:50, 17:30, 17:50 and 18:30 

X2 - 15:30, 16:15 and 17:10 

41X - 17:00, 17:15 and 17:30 

X27 - 16:12, 17:11, 17:30 and 17:50 

33X - 16:15, 16:30, 17:00, 17:30 and 18:00 

33D -  17:45

X31 - 16:30, 17:00 and 17:30 

X25 - 16: 14,16:39, 16:50, 17:07, 17:15 and 17:22 

X32 - 16:45 and 17:15 

X28 - 16:50 and 17:30 

X30 - 16:50 and 17:25 

39X - 16:55 and 17:25 

The following routes have new termini due to the protest:

Route 1 - Santry to / from Parnell Square

Route 4 - Monkstown Avenue to / from Merrion Square

Route 7/a - Brides Glen Luas Stop/ Loughlinstown to / from Merrion Square

Route 7 b/d: Shankill/ Dalkey to / from Merrion Square

Route 7e: Dalkey to Merrion Square

Route 11/b - North Circular to Parnell Square only

Route 11/b - Sandyford to Stephen’s Green only

Route 13 - Grangecastle to / from Mountjoy Square

Route 14 – North: Beaumont (Ardlee Road) to Talbot Street (only) 

Route 14  - South: Stephen’s Green to Dundrum Luas (only) 

Route 15 – North: Clongriffin to Amiens Street (only)

Route 15 – South: Stephen’s Green to Ballycullen (only)

Route 19 - Dublin Airport to / from Parnell Square

Route 27 – South: Jobstown to Cook Street (only)

Route 27 – North: Clare Hall to Amiens Street (only)

Route 33 - Balbriggan/Skerries to / from Mountjoy Square

Route 37 - Blanchardstown to / from Blackhall Place

Route 38/a/b - Damastown to / from Parnell Square

Route 39/a - Ongar to / from Blackhall Place 

Route 41 - Swords Manor to / from Mountjoy Square

Route 41B - Rolestown to / from Mountjoy Square

Route 41C - Swords Manor to / from Mountjoy Square

Route 44 – South: Stephen’s Green to Enniskerry (only)

Route 44d: Dundrum Luas to / from Stephen’s Green

Route 60 - Red Cow Luas to Cook Street / Cook Street to Red Cow Luas

Route 65 - Blessington to / from Camden Street

Route 65B - Citywest to / from Camden Street

Route 68/A - Newcastle/ Greenogue to Cook Street / Cook Street to Newcastle/ Greenogue

Route 69 - Rathcoole to Cook Street / Cook Street to Rathcoole

Route 70 - Dunboyne to Blackhall Place / Blackhall Place to Dunboyne

Route 74 - Dundrum Luas to / from Merchants Quay

Route 120 - Ashtown Rail Station to / from Parnell Square

Route 122 – North: Ashington to / from Parnell Square (only)

Route 122 – South: Drimnagh to / from Georges Street (only)

Route 150 - Limekiln Avenue to Cook Street

Route 150 - From Cook Street to Limekiln Avenue

Route 151 - Foxborough to Cook Street / Cook Street to Foxborough

Route E1 - Ballywaltrim to Dawson Street / Kildare Street to Ballywaltrim (only)

Route E2 – North: Harristown to / from Parnell Square (only)

Route E2 – South: Kildare Street to Dun Laoghaire from 13:00

Route E2 – South: Dun Laoghaire to Dawson Street from 13:00

Route G1 - Red Cow to / from Cook Street

Route G2 - Liffey Valley to / from Cook Street

Route C1/C2/C3/C4/C5/C6 - Operating to / from Heuston Station 

All other routes are operating as normal.

The following diversions are in place:

Route 13 - Services depart from Mountjoy Square, turn onto Gardiner Street, Dorset Street, Church Street, High Street, James Street and back on normal route

Route 13 from Grange Castle will operate as far as Nass Road, divert via Walkinstown Avenue, Crumlin Road, Dolphins Barn, Cork Street onto High Street and back on normal route.

Route 16/D - Normal route to Dorset Street, then divert straight to King St, left to Church St, straight to Bridge St, left to High St, High Street, straight to Lord Edward Street, Dame Street, turning right onto Georges Street and back on normal route.

Route 16 from Ballinteer, normal route to Georges Street, turn left onto Dame Street, Christchurch, North Quays, left on to Swift Row, Parnell Street, left onto Parnell Square west and back on to normal route.

Route 23/24 - From Charlestown / Dublin Airport normal route to Fr Mathew Bridge, Bridge Street Lower, Patrick Street, Kevin Street, St Stephen’s Green and back on to normal route.  

Route 23/24 From Merrion Square, towards Stephen’s Green, to Cuffe Street, Christchurch and back on normal route. 

Route 80 From Liffey Valley, normal route Arran Quay, right onto Bridge Street, left onto Dame Street, right onto Georges Street and back on normal route.

Route 80 From Palmerston Park, normal route to Georges Street, right onto Dame Street, to Bridge Street, right onto Ushers Quay and back on normal route.

Route F1/F2/F3 – Northbound: Normal route to Clanbrassil St then divert straight onto Patrick St, left onto High St, right onto Bridge St, straight onto Church St, right onto King St continue straight to Dorset St and back to normal route. 

Route F1/F2/F3 – Southbound: Normal route to Dorset Street, then divert straight to King St, left to Church St, straight to Bridge St, left to High St, High Street, right to Patrick Street, straight to Kevin Street and back on normal route.

Route G1 – From Red Cow: Normal route to Thomas Street then divert to Bridge Street, Cook Street and terminate.

Route G1 – To Red Cow: Depart Cook Street to Winetavern Street to Merchants Quay, Bridge Street, Thomas Street and normal route.

Route G2 – From Liffey Valley: Normal route to Thomas Street then divert to Bridge Street, Cook Street and terminate.

Route G2 – To Liffey Valley: Depart Cook Street to Winetavern Street to Merchants Quay, Bridge Street, Thomas Street and normal route.

One lane open on M50 northbound after junction six

In an incident update post on X, TII said one lane is open on the M50 northbound after junction six at Blanchardstown and advised drivers to expect delays.

CSNA CEO says several leading politicians should apologise to members and staff over ‘totally inaccurate statements’

The Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association (CSNA), said it is pleased to note the findings of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) into complaints from politicians and members of the public that increases in the price the public were paying for various fuels were excessive and unjust.

CEO Vincent Jennings said the “CSNA had always believed that an investigation would exonerate our members of any wrongdoing, as was also the case in the last CCPC report following the invasion of Ukraine.”

He said members and their staff were subjected to "appalling abuse following well-publicised and totally inaccurate statements from several leading politicians, all of whom should apologise."

Lines of motorists queuing for fuel are being reported across Co Waterford with similar scenes around Clonmel in Tipperary, reports Sarah Slater.

Defence Forces confirm armoured vehicles seen on roads are conducting ‘mission readiness exercises’

Earlier today, the Defence Forces had been asked to deploy heavy vehicles, usually used for recovering armoured personnel carriers, to remove trucks blockading fuel depots and other critical infrastructure.

Videos on social media circulated of armoured personnel carriers in convoy.

In a post on X, Defence Forces confirmed that the armoured personnel carriers are the personnel of the 128th Infantry Battalion conducting mission readiness exercises ahead of deployment to UNIFIL next month.

It said mission readiness exercises are “critical activities to train and prepare our personnel for conducting duties in Southern Lebanon.”

‘This is about survival’: Protesters in Cork are ‘not asking for the world’

A fuel protester in Macroom, Co Cork who “runs a one man operation” has said that they are “not asking for the world” from the Government - reports Olivia Kelleher.

Gearoid Crowley who was outside an event being attended by Taoiseach Micheál Martin this morning warned that members of the public need to be aware of the impact of the surge in fuel prices on everything from goods to services.

“What would be considered a small (contracting) outfit - five tractors, a silage harvester and a pike on the pit - that man is facing this summer, if this is not brought under control, that man is facing an extra €1500 per day on his fuel bill.

“He cannot absorb all that - he is going to have to pass that on. If he passes that on, that knock-on effect is going to go down the line.

“That is going to end up in the shops on the shelves in the price of food. What we are trying to say to the public is that you are not going to notice this now, but come September, October, and November you are all going to be standing there paying €5 for a loaf of bread.

“This is where it ends. If this does not get brought under control now - and quickly - that is where it is going to end up. The price of food come the fall of the year - because of the cost of production right now is going to go through the roof.”

Mr Crowley said that they were taking part in the protest for “the entire country.”

“We are doing this for everybody - for the entire country. Not just to line our own pockets. It is nothing to do with that. This is about survival and keeping our businesses afloat.

“We want to be able to continue to produce food at an affordable level for the general public, plain and simple.”

O’Connell Street businesses giving free food to protestors

Shops and businesses on or near O’Connell Street have been handing out free food to protesters, reports Ronan McGreevy.

The local Daybreak has given plates of sandwiches, while coffee and doughnut establishments have also been handing out food.

Protest organiser Peter Geoghegan said the generosity of local businesses, despite the city centre disruption, indicated public support for the protesters.

M50 closure at junction five, TII warns

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has alerted road users that a full road closure is in place on the M50 northbound at junction five, Finglas.

“Expect delays,” it said in a statement on social media.

Delays are affecting many major roads in the country as well as the M50, including the M18, M9, M8, M7/N7, M4/N4, M3/N3 and several other routes.

See the full list of closures here.

IRHA will not protest during ‘good faith’ negotiations with Government

The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has said it will not take part in protests while it is “negotiating in good faith with government”.

In a statement, the representative body of the licensed road haulage industry in Ireland said it is continuing talks with Government on a “daily basis to achieve further supports for our members in the haulage sector”.

“We are currently in negotiations with Government for more supports for our industry following crippling fuel price increases,” it said.

“We reiterate that we will not be taking part in any protest actions whilst we are negotiating in good faith with government – contrary to reports on social media."

The IRHA said the “best way to resolve this issue is through dialogue” and that it will continue its “ongoing discussions” with the Government.

Minister Healy-Rae suggests Government should sit down with protesters

Independent minister Michael Healy-Rae has gone against the Government line and advocated for his colleagues to meet with the protesters.

Healy-Rae said: “It costs absolutely nothing to sit down and talk to people,” reports Political Correspondent Ellen Coyne.

“I believe in democracy. I believe in talking. And there are people protesting that have said they want to talk. They want to talk to governments or representatives of government, and a I think that that should happen,” he told Radio Kerry.

Healy-Rae said there are many farmers who are not members of representative bodies like the Irish Farmers Association, who “still deserve a voice.”

“But if there are people that have been nominated, for example, to speak … like, it costs absolutely nothing to sit down and talk and listen to people’s concerns.”

Healy-Rae also said that he did support the Government’s use of the Defence Forces if necessary.

“Of course these people have concerns, but you can’t block or hold a country to ransom,” he said.

“If the army has to get oil distributed around the country to ensure that emergency vehicles will have diesel and petrol and that people will be able to go to work … you cannot hold the country to ransom.”

“I think that an opportunity was missed yesterday to meet with the groups, the people that have been nominated, but this escalation now and blocking the fuel, that is wrong. It’s never too late to talk, and it doesn’t cost anything to talk.”

Patients and staff delayed in getting to appointments says CHI

Patients and staff have been delayed in getting to health appointments by the fuel protests affecting Irish roads, Children’s Health Ireland says in a statement.

“The protests have had an impact on services in CHI at Crumlin, Connolly, Tallaght and Temple Street as they have delayed patients and families attending hospital appointments and have delayed healthcare staff getting to and from work which impacts operational activity.”

CHI has requested that the approaches to medical facilities are always kept clear.

“This is essential for emergency services, patients and families attending appointments and healthcare staff working in our hospital sites,” the State body said.

Patients and families with hospital appointments have been advised to allow extra travel time due to “significant travel delays”, plan alternative routes and to reschedule appointments if necessary.

CHI runs the existing children’s hospitals at Crumlin,Temple Street and Tallaght, and will be in charge of the new National Children’s Hospital (NCH) once it is completed.

Woman with brain cancer blocked from treatment due to protests

A woman with brain cancer has been unable to access treatment in Beaumont Hospital because of the fuel protests, reports Ronan McGreevy.

Lucy Munnelly was due to arrive for treatment at Beaumont Hospital at midday from her home in Sandyford.

It is a journey which takes around 45 minutes normally, but she has been stuck in traffic jams on the M50 for an hour and a half as a result of the fuel protests, and may miss her appointment completely.

Her daughter Jenny Munnelly said she was “fuming” at the protesters for inconveniencing people who are trying to access vital hospital appointments.

“I have zero sympathy with these protesters. Take it out on the Government; don’t take it out on ordinary people.”

More from Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald speaking to reporters in Dublin:

In response to a question asking if she believed the protests should end or continue, McDonald said: “The ball is in the court of Government. They, after all, govern. They are responsible to keep the wheel turning and to ensure that businesses and families and workers and farmers are supported.

“So I’m saying to them directly, there is no need for further escalation. There is no need for them to aggravate this situation any further.

“Pick up the phone, demonstrate respect. Listen to what people are telling them, and then act, not with half measures, but with sufficient measures.”

Wrong to ‘escalate and aggravate’ protests by sending in the Defence Force, says Sinn Féin

The Government is wrong to “escalate and aggravate” the fuel protests by sending in the Defence Forces, says Sinn Féin leader, Mary Lou McDonald.

Speaking to reporters this morning in Dublin, McDonald said that Taoiseach Micheál Martin should meet the protestors, listen to them and act to reduce the cost of fuel, reports Political Editor, Pat Leahy.

“I think it is wrong for Micheál Martin and Simon Harris to take actions that escalate and aggravate a very difficult situation,” she said.

“I think the intelligent, responsible, Government action is to engage, to listen, and then crucially to act.

McDonald said that Sinn Féin had warned the Government of the hardships that people were experiencing but “They weren’t prepared to listen to us then.”

“They now need to show a willingness, to listen to the people who are simply saying that they want to be heard, and then they want to see action from their Government.

Asked if she supported what the protestors were doing at the moment, McDonald said: “I support measures to make it possible for businesses to survive, for people to function, for farmers, for hauliers, for contractors, and for others to go about their daily lives. I do not support government action, that aggravates and escalates a very, very difficult situation.”

Fuel stations in Kilkenny ‘experiencing delays in fuel deliveries’

Some fuel stations in Kilkenny have advised customers that they are “currently experiencing delays in fuel deliveries”, Sarah Slater reports.

Two Inver fuel stations, one in Kilkenny city and another in the village of Slieverue are advising customers they have been affected by delays.

In an online statement they added it was due to “ongoing disruption affecting access to the Foynes fuel terminal”.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and want to assure you that we are doing everything possible to continue serving our customers.”

Whitegate protesters say they will be replaced by others if removed by gardaí

Fuel price protesters gathered outside Ireland’s only refinery say that if the gardaí and army come in to remove them then other will replace them and they will maintain a blockage until the Government meets their demands and puts a cap on fuel prices.

Southern Correspondent, Barry Roche reports that numbers maintaining the blockade on the road leading to Irving Oil’s refinery at Whitegate in east Cork continued to grow all morning with around a dozen trucks and four tractors narrowing the entrance so that only private vehicles can gain access to the area.

Among those there overnight was local builder Joe Rynne, who runs his own construction company in Whitegate, employing seven people and he said the surge in fuel prices over the last few weeks has made his business virtually unsustainable.

“I have seven lads in total working and I have five diggers – I burned €108 worth of diesel in two hours and that was only doing light work – that’s not sustainable and I’m here today because it’s not going to pay me to go back to doing what I was doing yesterday.”

As the number of protestors swelled to over 60 people, a small number of gardai were maintaining a discreet presence inside the blockade closer to the refinery with uniform officers chatting with some of the protestors.

Word spread at one stage that troops were reported to be leaving Collins Barracks in Cork city in Mowags and speculation mounted that this might well be what Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan had envisaged when he spoke about calling in the army to assist gardai.

But then word spread that troops from Collins Barracks are due to deploy to the UNIFIL peacekeeping mission in Lebanon in a few weeks and that the troops and the Mowags were heading for Lynch Camp in Kilworth in North Cork for a training exercise.

But what happens if gardaí assisted by members of the Defence Forces begin to remove protesters and attempt to lift the blockage outside the Irving Oil refinery?

Rynne says that the protest is a grassroots movement, and he expects others will be willing to take the place of anyone who is removed from Whitegate - with plenty of hauliers, builders, farmers and contractors willing to maintain a blockade.

“We are going to stay here until this is sorted and white diesel is capped at 90c a litre and green diesel is capped at €1.60 to €1.70 a litre and if we are removed, then reinforcements will come down from the rest of the country and will take our place.

“What’s unbelievable about this protest is that it started with a WhatsApp group on Sunday night and every person that was burning diesel started adding another person who was burning diesel and it grew organically then.

“There’s one WhatsApp group for Cork and one for up the country and one for the west of Ireland – the Cork group maxed out at 1,025 people and we have people coming down to join us now from Mallow and Charleville in North Cork and we have people here too from west Cork.”

M50 fuel protester convoy reaches junction six

The convoy of protesters along the M50 motorway is reaching junction six northbound, with traffic trailing back to junction nine.

Delays are affecting many major roads in the country as well as the M50, including the M18, M9, M8, M7/N7, M4/N4, M3/N3 and several other routes.

See the full list of closures here.

Leave hard shoulder free for emergency services, TII asks road users

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has asked road users to leave the hard shoulder available for emergency services and warned of significant disruption to road networks.

“TII requests that all road users leave the hard shoulder available for emergency services,” it said in a statement on social media.

The State body also warned that there is “significant distribution” across the national road and motorway network with Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, Laois, Offaly, Kildare, Galway, Cork, and Dublin currently impacted.

It said, however, that the protest is “mobile at times and can impact different regions at different times.”

Health Minister calls for entrances to medical facilities to be kept clear

Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and the HSE chief executive Anne O’Connor have called for all approaches to medical facilities to be kept clear for emergency service access, for patients attending medical appointments and to ensure staff can get to work and treat their patients.

“Attending hospital or receiving treatment in the community, whether in an emergency situation or for a routine appointment, is a vulnerable time for a patient and their family.

“Please respect the critical need for clear and safe access to all healthcare services, to ensure that access to care is never compromised,” a joint statement said.

Support for protesters in Dublin city

Dublin city centre was conspicuously quiet on Thursday with few commuters around, Ronan McGreevy reports.

Public transport through Dublin’s main thoroughfare was still going, with the Luas Red Line operating, but the trains were mostly empty.

“It doesn’t bother me,” said one woman, “I got a bus as far as Church Street and walked the rest of the way. I’m sure other people are annoyed but it is for the greater good.”

She said a fill of oil in her home in Dublin had gone up 40 per cent since the week before Christmas.

“It cost €500 for 500 litres in December and now it is costing us €500 for 300 litres. That’s a huge difference in such a small short space of time.

“I’m not surprised the protests are happening all over the country when you are using vans and trucks on a daily basis.”

A young woman, who was cycling back from her yoga classes, also supported the protesters. “I’m from a farming family in Tipperary. We know what it is like to see our bills go up all the time. It can’t go on the way it is going on.”

Price of home-heating oil hits highest level since 1996 amid Iran war

The price of home-heating oil rose by 67.5 per cent last month when compared with February, the largest ever month-on-month increase, according to data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).

The increase exceeded the previous biggest monthly rise of 58.4 per cent seen in March 2022. Compared with 12 months ago, home-heating oil prices were up by 63.3 per cent.

The price of home-heating oil was at its highest level since the CSO started publishing detailed sub-indices in 1996. Diesel was at its highest level since July 2022 while the price of petrol was at its highest level since August 2022.

Read Colin Gleeson’s full report here.

Dublin Bus services cancelled

Dublin Bus has cancelled a number of services today, while several other routes are badly delayed.

“We wish to advise customers that due to fuel price protests, we are experiencing ongoing severe service disruptions and delays across the Dublin Bus network,” a statement noted.

The following services have been cancelled:

• 142 - 16:35, 16:50, 17:05 and 17:35 
• P29 - 17:00,17:20 and 17:40
• 51D - 17:15 
• 69X - 17:45
• X1 - 16:50, 17:30, 17:50 and 18:30 
• X2 - 15:30, 16:15 and 17:10 
• 41X - 17:00, 17:15 and 17:30 
• X27 - 16:12, 17:11, 17:30, 17:50 
• 33X - 16:15, 16:30, 17:00, 17:30 and 18:00 
• 33D -  17:45
• X31 - 16:30, 17:00, 17:30 
• X25 - 16: 14,16:39, 16:50, 17:07, 17:15 and 17:22 
• X32 - 16:45, 17:15 
• X28 - 16:50, 17:30 
• X30 - 16:50, 17:25 
• 39X - 16:55, 17:25 

The latest updates to services will be posted here.

It’s ‘madness’ and ‘Trumpian’ for Government to call in Army - Tóibín

Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín has called on the Government to de-escalate the situation.

“It is madness for the Government to call in the Army before trying every peaceful avenue possible to bring this protest to an end. It is incredible how obtuse . . . this Government is that they wont even speak to representatives of the protests,” he said in a statement.

“My understanding is that this protest will stand down immediately if the Government simply call them and organise a meeting.

“It is shocking to think that the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste are going to introduce a Trumpian strategy that could potentially lead to violence on our streets and yet this Government will not at least try to talk to these.”

The Meath West TD added: “No one wants to see our roads or ports blocked. This has to be brought to an end soon. The solution is that the Minister for Transport lifts the phone to the reps of the protests and organises a meeting.

“We have been in contact with numerous Ministers to urge them to resolve this in a speedy manner. We will continue to try and mediate a solution today.”

Protesters urged to end blockades before intervention from Defence Forces

Political Correspondent Jack Horgan-Jones has been rounding up more political reaction to the protests.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said it was “extremely worrying” that the Defence Forces had been asked to intervene, saying this “will create a dangerous precedent”.

Earlier, a Defence Forces source said the organisation would likely be providing vehicles but not engaging in crowd control or public order policing.

Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman has called on fuel protesters to end their blockage ahead of planned interventions from the Defence Forces.

“Irish people need to be able to travel and access basic services like fuel. The right to protest is not a right to hold people to ransom. Those leading the protests should look at the impact of their actions on people around the country, and stop blocking roads, public transport and fuel depots,” he said.

“If the gardaí need to be provided with extra support in keeping roads and basic services open, then that’s the right thing to do – vulnerable people shouldn’t be at risk of not being able to travel to the doctor, water supplies cannot be threatened for lack of fuel.”

A spokesperson for the Social Democrats said: “Everybody in this country has a right to protest but the escalation in the protests – and the blockading of fuel depots, motorways and large parts of central Dublin – is wrong.

“It targets commuters and businesses, who are struggling with the same cost-of-living pressures as the protesters. Critical infrastructure should not be blocked and the decision to call in the support of the Defence Forces may well be warranted.

“However, to try to de-escalate a rapidly deteriorating situation, the Government should meet with the organisers of this protest. This should only be done on the strict condition that, having heard their concerns, the protests all over the country will then end.”

Someone left a bag of supplies for protesters on Dublin’s O’Connell Street. It’s full of Tayto and doughnuts, in case you were wondering.

‘RIP Ireland’ on coffin on O’Connell Street

One of the O’Connell Street protesters is Thomas Clarke, who is a haulier and a provider of horse-drawn carriages in Dublin, Ronan McGreevy reports.

Clarke has two vans to accompany the carriages that are used for weddings and funerals. He therefore had no problem accessing a coffin, which he deposited on the back of his Scania lorry, now parked at the O’Connell Bridge end of O’Connell Street.

The inscription on the coffin reads “RIP Ireland”.

Clarke said his diesel bills have risen from €6,000 to €8,500 a month in the last month.

“Ireland has gone to the dogs with the Government with the carbon tax and the diesel tax. It’s going to put a lot more people out of business, including my own,” he said.

Based in Dublin, he joined the protest in Enfield and has been on O’Connell Street since Tuesday, sleeping in his lorry at night.

“My lorry was parked up outside the GPO until the coffin was brought in. When we got the coffin, we reversed the lorry back down.”

The Defence Forces has confirmed its assistance has been requested from An Garda Síochána in the form of heavy vehicle recovery.

“As this operation is ongoing, we will not provide further comment until it is concluded,” a statement noted.

“The Defence Forces are aware of images circulating of Mowag Armoured Personnel Carriers in convoy. We can confirm that these are the personnel of the 128th Infantry Battalion conducting mission readiness exercises ahead of deployment to Unifil next month.”

Protesters told to ‘immediately cease blockades of critical infrastructure or face full rigours of the law’

An Garda Síochána is advising protesters to “immediately cease blockades of such critical infrastructure or face the full rigours of the law”, Colm Keena reports.

Speaking today, deputy commissioner of policing operations, Shawna Coxon said: “Over the last two days, An Garda Síochána has engaged extensively with those taking part in fuel protests across the country to facilitate peaceful protest while protecting public safety.

“Yesterday, we advised protesters that they were severely impacting on the lives of people, particularly emergency workers, those who need to attend hospital, and workers.

“Despite our significant and prolonged engagement, which has included explaining and encouraging protesters to facilitate free movement of traffic, it is clear that some people have significantly escalated an already difficult situation by targeting critical infrastructure such as fuel depots and refineries.

“These are no longer protests, they are blockades. These blockades are putting at risk supplies of food, fuel, clean water and animal feed. These are critical for the nation and its people. This is not tolerable and is against the law.

“The wilful obstruction of public roads and the movement of vehicles and persons are offences under various statutes including the Public Order Act and Road Traffic Acts.”

Coxon said gardaí are now “moving to an enforcement phase in relation to those impacting on critical infrastructure unless they desist and disperse from these blockades”.

“An Garda Síochána is advising protesters to immediately cease blockades of such critical infrastructure or face the full rigours of the law.”

She confirmed the Army was available to assist should that be necessary, and said the enforcement phase would begin “immediately”.

Oil tankers turned around at Whitegate overnight

More details from Southern Correspondent Barry Roche at the blockaded fuel depot in Whitegate, Co Cork:

About eight articulated and rigid lorries were parked up at the junction leading to the Irving Oil Refinery and, according to Kelleher, up to 12 oil tankers turned around overnight and left without collecting their loads when they realised they could not gain access to the refinery.

“We had up to 12 tankers turned away overnight and there were no issues, the boys [the drivers] were helpful, no bad feelings, no arguments, everything was polite - even people going in and out of the refinery, 99 per cent of them are thumbs up, blowing the horn, no hassle,” Kelleher said.

“We are getting loads of support from people – we’ve kept local access open and all the residents are delighted with us – the neighbours here were polite, they brought out tea and sandwiches, they offered us beds if we wanted them.”

Kelleher acknowledged that the Government said it will only talk to recognised representative bodies like the Irish Road Haulage Association, but said most hauliers are hugely dissatisfied with the IRHA over its efforts to get support for hauliers and truck drivers.

“The problem is the Government only want to speak to official parties. I’m a member of the Irish Road Haulage Association but not for much longer, and there are hundreds like me who are hugely dissatisfied with the Road Haulage Association.

“Nobody is happy with the Road Haulage Association – they’ve done nothing for us - they are good enough to take money off people but all you get is a windscreen sticker and that’s being genuine.”

The Whitegate Oil Refinery opened in 1959 and was bought by Canadian company Irving Oil in 2016. The refinery employs more than 260 people and can process 75,000 barrels of oil a day and supplies 40 per cent of the petroleum needs of the country.

In a statement, Irving Oil said: “We are focused on the safety of our people, our facility and our neighbours. With global energy supply dynamics continuing to face volatility, we are hopeful that these events do not further strain the supply of energy to our customers.”

‘Our diesel bill is up €1,200: Protesters on why they are blockading fuel depot

Southern Correspondent Barry Roche has the latest from the blockaded fuel depot in Whitegate, Co Cork:

Protesters mounting a blockade of Ireland’s only oil refinery in Co Cork say they will maintain the protest for as long as it takes until the Government meets their demands and puts a cap on the price of diesel and other fuels.

More than 100 truck drivers, farmers and digger operators began the protest outside the Irving Oil refinery in Whitegate in east Cork on Wednesday evening and about 25 maintained the blockade overnight with more due to join the protest again on Thursday morning.

Among those who had come to Whitegate and stayed overnight was haulier Anthony Kelleher, who runs a two-truck haulage business with his father in Millstreet in north Cork. He said people were determined to maintain the blockade such was their frustration.

“It’s been tough – our diesel bill is up €1,200 to €1,400 a week since this started and we have two trucks, an artic and rigid - I’m stopped work and my father is stopped too – it’s actually cheaper to leave the trucks parked and all the boys here will tell you the same thing,” he said.

Kelleher and the other protesters are looking for the Government to cap the price of white diesel used in cars and lorries at 90 cents a litre and green diesel for tractors and diggers at €1.60 to €1.70 a litre.

“The Taoiseach was on the radio there a minute ago saying what we were doing was wrong – that we are leaving people without essential services – they’ve left us without essential services for the last 10, 12 years – healthcare for one,” Kelleher said.

“People are after realising that it’s not just us – we are doing this for everybody, down to the mom taking the kids to school, everyone who has travel to get to work – this is for everybody – this isn’t just for hauliers or builders or farmers.”

Bus Éireann routes cancelled

A number of Bus Éireann services have been cancelled due to the protests.

“Due to the fuel cost protests, several routes nationwide are experience considerable delays.

“There are slow-moving convoys and a barricade in Sligo town affecting all services. In addition, there slow-moving convoys on the N18 (Ennis Road), starting in Bunratty heading towards Limerick,” a statement from Bus Éireann said.

The following routes are among those with some cancelled services:

• Route 51: Cork to Galway
• Route 320: Charleville to Limerick
• Route 350: Ennis to Galway

Bus Éireann will be updating its list of cancelled or delayed services here.

Rosslare Harbour and Europort

An Garda Síochána says fuel protests in the Rosslare Harbour area are causing significant delays and disruption to traffic, including access to and from the port and surrounding roads, Sarah Slater reports.

“Since Tuesday, An Garda Síochána has been engaging with, and continues to engage with, those involved in the fuel protests around the country, seeking to work with them to mitigate the negative impact these protests are having on the lives of their communities,” a statement said.

“If a member of the public has an urgent situation requiring passage through affected areas (for example, medical needs or other time-critical circumstances impacted by roadblocks), please contact Wexford Garda Station on 053 916 5200 and Gardaí will assess whether Garda assistance is possible.”

‘Why in the name of God would people blockade our ports?’ - Taoiseach

Vivienne Clarke has more details from the Taoiseach’s interview with RTÉ radio.

Speaking on Today with David McCullagh show, Micheál Martin said constructive proposals were coming from various organisations “in a sustained and sensible way”.

“We’re trying to look at an effective way to make sure that industry can keep going, and that involves food production in particular, and it involves haulage, because both of those are essential to all of us.”

Martin said the situation in the Middle East remained “very volatile”.

“We hope the worst doesn’t come, and that we can navigate our way through this, as we navigated our way through Covid, as we navigated our way through the last energy crisis.”

The Taoiseach called on the protesters to “reflect” and end the demonstrations.

“The gun can’t be put to the head of any government in this manner,” he said.

“Why in the name of God would people blockade our ports? Why blockade fuel, and why blockade access to good water?”

Sarah Slater has these updates from Kilkenny and Tipperary:

The M9 at the Danesfort exit is now blocked by protesters in a slow-moving convoy made up of trucks, cars and tractors.

The Tipperary road and the Knockagh roundabouts in Cahir are also at a standstill due to protests which lead onto the M8 at Cashel where a blockade continued overnight.

Defence Forces formally asked to intervene

The Defence Forces has been asked to deploy heavy vehicles, usually used for recovering armoured personnel carriers, to remove trucks blockading fuel depots and other critical infrastructure.

A formal request for military assistance has now been formally submitted, Investigations Reporter Conor Gallagher writes.

This request, known as a C70, permits the Defence Forces to provide “aid to the civil power”. It is regularly used to request Defence Forces assistance in search operations and disposal of explosives.

Its use to address civilian protests is highly unusual if not unprecedented. However, sources stressed Army personnel will not be deployed in direct confrontation with protesters.

“They will not be doing CRC,” said a source referring to “crowd riot control”, the military term for public order policing. “If they weren’t asked to do that during the Dublin riots there is no chance they are going to be asked to do so against what are essentially peaceful protesters.”

Instead, the Garda plan to ask the Defence Forces to deploy their military recovery vehicles. These are heavy lift vehicles designed to recover the Mowag armoured personnel carriers used by the Army.

The Defence Forces operates unarmoured and armoured versions. The armoured version, known as “the beast” is typically used overseas.

The Army Corps of Engineers also has bulldozers and other heavy machinery. However, it is not known if these will be deployed. The Mowags themselves are also capable of towing other vehicles.

Sources said it was highly unlikely armed soldiers will be deployed with the vehicles. Protection of the vehicles and operators will be a matter for the Garda, they said.

This morning videos have been circulating online of convoys of armoured vehicles, including in the Limerick area where several blockades are in effect.

However, these are unrelated to the protests. The Army vehicles are instead taking part in a “mission readiness exercise” ahead of the deployed of the 128th Infantry Battalion to Lebanon.

Taoiseach says protests are ‘hurting people’

Vivienne Clarke has more from the Taoiseach’s interview with RTÉ radio.

Speaking on Today with David McCullagh, Micheál Martin said there was a fundamental problem with the idea that protesters could park lorries in the middle of O’Connell Street and refuse to move them until the Government talks to them.

“That’s not an acceptable form of protest,” Martin said.

“Everybody will be doing that every week. So the way to get a meeting now is just to rock up a couple of lorries, block motorways, block city centres, and you’d better talk to us now.”

The Taoiseach said there were “a whole range of organisations through whom those who were protesting could channel their issues”.

“They need to call off these protests because they’re hurting people. They’re hurting ordinary people. What’s the logic and sense in blocking access to fuel? There are some folk who will have no fuel this morning.”

Martin said the Government was in “constant discussions” to determine the most effective way to try to reduce pressure on those hardest hit. He said he had been “very taken aback” when he learned that fuel depots were being blockaded.

“I couldn’t comprehend it. For people who said that they’re concerned about the price and so on of fuel. To now be denying people access to fuel is beyond any logical comprehension in my view.

“I don’t think it’s fair and I don’t think it’s right to do that. People have been denied access to get to their jobs.”

Protesters block Dublin city centre

Fuel protesters have blocked up Dublin city centre for a third day in a row and claim they are settling in for the long haul, Ronan McGreevy reports.

Gardaí placed traffic barriers on Westmoreland Street and at the top of O’Connell Street to divert traffic.

Fuel protesters gathered at O’Connell Bridge blocking not only traffic travelling through the city centre north to south but also from east to west along the North quays. Diversions are in place.

Seán McNamara, a haulier and farmer from Co Westmeath who is one of the organisers, said the mood among the protesters was “ very bad” as the Government would not speak to them.

By them, he meant a delegation of four - himself, John Dallon, James Geoghegan and Christopher Duffy - who are members of the original Facebook group set to up organise the protests.

Government ministers have said they will speak to representatives of the Irish Road Haulage Association and the Irish Farmers Association (IFA), but not directly to the fuel protesters. They called on them to cease their protests.

The protesters want green diesel reduced in price from €1.70 to €0.90 a litre and ordinary diesel from €2.30 to €1.60 a litre.

They claim the Government can make these reductions because 65 per cent of the price of fuel is collected by way of tax.

“If we don’t get want we are looking for, these people won’t be leaving here. We need our demands met,” McNamara said.

“We don’t want to be here blocking up streets, but we are here for all the people of Ireland. If fuel prices don’t come down, food is going to become a lot dearer.”

Latest traffic delays

Several delays and closures have been reported on roads in and around Dublin.

‘It’s a sad day when a government would rather call in the army than make a phone call’

Political Correspondent Jack Horgan-Jones has been getting the latest political reaction to the protests.

A statement on behalf of Minister for Defence Helen McEntee said: “The Defence Forces are always available to consider any requests for assistance from An Garda Síochána. Ensuring that critical supplies for our country and its people are able to flow across our country is absolutely essential.

“I remain in close contact with government colleagues and the Chief of Staff.”

Sources earlier said the Defence Forces had not yet received a formal request to help respond to the protests.

Independent Ireland said: “It’s a sad day when a Government would rather call in the army for its own citizens than make a phone call.”

Taoiseach says people’s fundamental rights are being denied

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said it is unacceptable that people are being denied access to fuel and water because of the protests at critical infrastructure, Vivienne Clarke reports.

“It’s unacceptable that people would be denied access to clean water. So the essentials that enable Uisce Eireann to enable public water supplies are now being denied through the blockade and fines. People are finding difficulty getting to health appointments,” he told RTÉ radio’s Today with David McCullagh show.

The essentials of the economy were being blocked and paralysed, that was not fair to the people of Ireland, he said.

“It’s not a fair form of protest. Government accepts the right of people to protest and the need for peaceful protest in this country. That’s a cornerstone of a democracy.

“And there’s always a balance in terms of how one responds to protests. We don’t want to be denying that right or denying opportunities for people to articulate their position and perspectives on a variety of issues.

“But these type of protests have gone far beyond the pale now in terms of the undermining of people’s fundamental rights, the citizens’ rights to access the essentials of life itself.”

Social Democrats’ councillor Daniel Ennis has said that “shutting down down the city is not the answer”, Sarah Slater reports.

Ennis, a councillor for Dublin’s North Inner City, said: “People have the right to protest, especially when they’re under real pressure and don’t feel heard. But shutting down the city and disrupting ordinary people - workers, patients and carers isn’t the answer.”

He continued: “Behind these protests is a bigger problem - Ireland’s dependence on fossil fuels is driving up costs and deepening the climate crisis, while the Government fails to properly support people through it.

“We need a fair, planned transition - real investment in renewables and retrofitting, real support for farmers and workers, and climate action that doesn’t pit urban against rural Ireland.”

Protester says Taoiseach’s statement was ‘disgraceful’

John Dallon, a representative of the fuel protesters, has said the protests will not be called off, despite plans by the Minister for Justice to involve the Defence Forces in moving protesters from critical infrastructure, Vivienne Clarke reports.

“Micheál Martin came out with a statement yesterday saying the protest was a total disrespect to the people of the island of Ireland. For a man of his integrity and intelligence, it’s absolutely disgraceful the statement he came out with and totally disrespectful to the people of Ireland,” Dallon told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland.

“It’s the Government that’s holding the country to ransom, not the protesters. Now the protesters and the people of the island of Ireland have a constitutional right to have a peaceful protest and this protest does not just involve people that’s in business.

“This involves nurses, doctors, everybody going to schools or going to work that has to put diesel and petrol into their cars and buy food to put on the table, pay mortgages.”

Dallon said the Irish Road Hauliers Association, which is going to meet with the Government this week, did not represent some of the small haulage companies, while the IFA and ICMSA were just two of the seven farming organisations.

Dallon said the only people that can stop the protests are Micheál Martin and Simon Harris.

The protests would continue, he said, “until the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach respect the people of the island of Ireland that put them in power”.

When asked about his message to people unable to get to work today, he responded: “All I can say to them people is just bear with us, stand with us because we’re fighting for the people’s rights of the island of Ireland.”

Government cannot ‘bury their heads’

Labour TD George Lawlor has issued a statement in support of the protesters, saying the Government cannot “bury their heads”.

“Those involved in fuel protests are ordinary hardworking people trying to make a living,” the Wexford TD said.

“The Government simply has to engage in talks and not dig in and bury their heads. Now is the time for leadership, not inaction.”

Protests cannot hold Dublin city ‘to ransom’

Fuel protests cannot be allowed to hold Dublin city “to ransom”, Lord Mayor Councillor Ray McAdam said.

Commenting on the third day of protests, McAdam said: “Everybody has the right to protest, and everyone is well aware of rapidly rising fuel prices due to global events. However, holding the people of Dublin to ransom ... is not fair.

“I understand there is deep frustration at this time over the cost of fuel, but we cannot have people bringing our capital to a standstill. We need people to be able to move freely through our city, our carers and healthcare workers, our local businesses, our public transport must all be able to fully function.

“With the Rotunda at the heart of our inner city, it is vital that emergency vehicles, patients, and staff can freely move through the city to attend the hospital. I would ask all protesters to think about the impact this is having on the hospital.

“I fully respect the right to protest but disrupting our commuters, families, key workers and visitors to our city does not help and it’s not fair. Now is the time for us all to pull together.

“Disrupting day-to-day activities within our capital is wrong. It is vital that all stakeholders engage through the proper channels so that our city can function.”

Large vehicles blocking roads needs ‘tailored response’

Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon has said the fuel protesters should not be allowed have an impact on the lives of ordinary people, Vivienne Clarke reports.

Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast with Anton Savage, the Minister told of how some of his constituents had to travel to Dublin on Wednesday evening and book into a hotel to ensure they could make a hospital appointment on Thursday morning.

“That is not how we allow protests to impact people’s lives,” he said.

Heydon defended the decision of the Minister for Justice to involve the Defence Forces in assisting Gardaí in removing large vehicles from blocking vital infrastructures.

“We are talking about very large vehicles here in certain instances. So obviously that does need a tailored response in that regard where they are blocking critical infrastructure.”

The Minister said he and the Government understood that people were “very angry” but everyone had been impacted by the “significant fallout” from the Iranian war.

The Government was responding “in real time” to ensure its interventions were measured and mindful of their impact.

The continued blockade of critical infrastructure would have a knock-on impact on every citizen, “people who aren’t out protesting, but who too are impacted by high energy costs and the impact and the fallout of this war”.

“Government cannot shield the public from every element of the impact of the conflict in the middle east. But what we do have to do is make sure that our interventions are right,” he said. “You know, there are people and protesters here talking about a cap on the price of diesel and beyond.”

Defence Forces yet to receive formal request to intervene

It is understood the Defence Forces has yet to receive a formal request from authorities to intervene in the protests, Investigations Reporter Conor Gallagher writes.

Senior officers were taken by surprise by this morning’s announcement, as there had been no previous discussion of using military assets.

Sources said the role of the Defence Forces is likely to be limited to deploying Army engineering vehicles to remove large vehicles. This includes vehicles used in the recovery of armoured personnel carriers.

Updates from Carlow, Kildare and Offaly

Slow-moving protests have kicked off from the Circle K garage in Tinryland in Carlow, and are now starting to block the M9 which leads from Waterford city to the M50, Sarah Slater reports.

There is a slow-moving convoy underway in Naas from Castlewarden Junction 6 and from J9A Millennium which is citybound with heavy delays likely all the way to the M50.

Motorists are being advised to use back roads in Naas, Johnstown, Kill, Kilteel and Rathcoole to get around it. Alternatively, they should get off at J9A and head for M4 at Maynooth/Celbridge.

A large number of protesters have also gathered at the Tesco roundabout in Tullamore, Co Offaly.

More disruption has been reported on motorways with some lanes or entire roads closed.

One of the biggest national route disruptions is on the M1 southbound (heading to Dublin) near the Lusk service area, Sean O’Neill from TII said this morning.

Justice Minister says he asked Defence Forces for help

The Department of Justice has asked the Defence Forces for help responding to the protests.

A spokeswoman said Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan has confirmed it is well established in law that the Defence Forces may assist An Garda Síochána in aid to the civil power, when requested and when required.

“On each occasion that the support of the Defence Forces is required, An Garda Síochána issues a form C70 to the Defence Forces to request their assistance,” a statement said.

“The blocking of critical national infrastructure will not be permitted to continue and the assistance of the Defence Forces has been requested.

“Large vehicles blocking critical infrastructure will be removed. Owners of those vehicles should remove them immediately this morning and should not complain later about any damage caused to those vehicles during removal.

“Denying people access to fuel and clean water is an unacceptable interference in the most basic of human rights.”

Forecourts could run out of petrol, fuel chief warns

Fuels for Ireland chief executive Kevin McPartland has said the blockade of refineries in Foynes, Galway and Whitegate - through which 50 per cent of all the fuel sold in Ireland goes through - means fuel is not getting to forecourts, Vivienne Clarke reports.

“That means 50 per cent of households in Ireland, 50 per cent of businesses in Ireland, are not going to be able to get fuel if this is allowed to continue,” he told Newstalk Breakfast with Anton Savage.

“I find it interesting that the Taoiseach talks about a national sabotage and then we don’t seem to be responding to that. To me, if you have the head of Government talking about a national sabotage, then that would demand some sort of response from the State.”

McPartland called for greater enforcement from Gardaí in relation to the protests.

He warned that if the blockades continue much longer then soon “scores” of forecourts around the country will run out of fuel. Dublin Port needed to remain accessible, he said, as it supplies Dublin Airport.

Burgh Quay, College Street and Westmoreland Street are blocked in Dublin city centre. People have been advised to allow extra time for journeys or to avoid certain areas if possible.

Delays on M50, M1 and several other routes

Delays have been reported on the M50, M18, M9, M8, M7/N7, M4/N4, M3/N3, M1/N1 and several other routes.

‘Massive disruption’ expected in Dublin

Dublin Bus spokesperson Blake Boland has warned commuters of the “massive disruption” expected again this morning, Vivienne Clarke reports.

Speaking on RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland, Boland said Dublin Bus was creating temporary terminuses around the city which allowed buses run in as far as they could before turning around.

The protesters in the city centre were “splintering out” with two or three people blocking off certain junctions not allowing buses through, he said.

“What we’ve been doing is making diversions on those cross-city routes, but that’s not really possible at this stage, to a large extent. So, what we’re doing now is we’re creating what we might call temporary terminuses.

“We’re running buses from the outskirts of the city in as close as we can get them before they risk them being trapped by the protesters, turning those buses around and operating them back out. And that’s particularly important on those cross-city routes. So it helps us to avoid buses getting trapped in the city centre and, at least, operating as much of that route as we can.”

Boland added that Express services had been cancelled with the purpose of using those resources to “close the gaps”.

A full list of Dublin Bus cancellations and diversions can be read here.

Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness has said the Government needs to speak to protesters.

“The Government should met with a number of the protesters and resolve the situation once and for all,” he said.

Speaking on RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland, the Carlow-Kilkenny TD added: “We need to diffuse what’s happening and that’s the Government’s job.”

On the same programme, Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan said the protests “have gone too far, I think it’s counterproductive”.

The Dublin Bay North TD said “targeting working people” by blocking roads and impacting public transport will “alienate” the public, rather than “galvanise” support.

Fuel depots blocked

Access to three major fuel terminals - in Foynes, Galway and Whitegate - is expected to remain blocked today. There are fears some forecourts could run out of fuel.

Fuels for Ireland CEO Kevin McPartlan warned yesterday there was a risk to forecourts’ supply as a result of the protests.

Traffic in Dublin city is expected to be severely disrupted again. O’Connell Street and O’Connell Bridge are closed, as are other roads in the city centre.

Slow-moving convoys are expected on a number of motorways and roads again today.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland has the latest updates on traffic and road closures here.

Disruption caused by rolling nationwide fuel protests are set to enter a third day with public transport companies warning of service disruption due to road closures.

Dublin Bus has said this morning that road closures in Dublin city centre are causing delays and disruptions.

“We wish to advise customers that due to fuel price protests, we are experiencing ongoing severe service disruptions and delays across the Dublin Bus network,” Dublin Bus said in a statement.

Luas commuters also face disruption. Luas Green Line trams are currently not operating between St Stephen’s Green and Dominick due to protesters blocking the tracks at O’Connell Bridge.