Truckers and hauliers who intend to protest in the capital on Monday in response to fuel prices reaching a record-high have said they will not leave “until we get answers”.
The Irish Trucker and Haulage Association against Fuel Prices, which has organised the demonstration, said there will be "massive convoys" from counties Cork, Galway, Donegal, Monaghan and Wexford, with "thousands of vehicles joining the protest from all corners of the country".
The group has called on members of the public, the people of rural Ireland, taxi drivers and bus operators to join in.
In a post on Facebook, the group set up meeting points at service stations, retail parks, and restaurants along the main motorways into the capital, with most convoys being en route to Dublin by 7am.
They have not advertised the route the protest will take, but said truckers should not be in the fast lanes, with participating members will be given more detail about where to go by marshalls at the meeting points.
The group is not affiliated with the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) and has yet to put a spokesperson forward.
Their latest Facebook post states truckers are “joining in arms, we are not going away without answers”.
“Complete stop tomorrow and we are not leaving the capital until we get answers. We have been failed continuously by our Government and the IRHA,” the post said.
“We pay enough, we keep this country moving and we get nothing back in return.” The group said haulage is a “dying game with no incentives to become a driver”.
“Numbers are short already and we have companies closing down day by day due to the soaring costs from fuel costs. We need to save this industry before it’s too late,” it added.
Kildare
Farmers protesting the high cost of fuel and carbon tax have blockaded a Musgrave food distribution centre in Kilcock, Co Kildare.
The blockade started around 3pm on Sunday, and trailers containing food have been prevented from entering and leaving the distribution centre.
Empty trailers have also been prevented from entering the centre, but staff have been allowed come and go.
The Individual Farmers of Ireland group are believed to be behind the protest.
Speaking to Virgin Media news, Christopher Duffy, a farmer taking part in the protest, said that without farmers, there will be no food. "Farmers are getting a bashing ... what has happened over the last couple for months especially, it has to stop."
He added that there are other farmers across Ireland who are ready to stage similar protests.
He said the Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Agriculture need to make contact with the group quickly.
Many farmers at the protest said that the sector was becoming unsustainable, due to carbon tax and the rising cost of fuel.
Musgrave confirmed that a protest commenced at 3pm on Sunday at their Kilcock distribution centre. "The safety of our colleagues, contractors and the general public are our priority.
"We are hopeful that this dispute between the protestors and Government is resolved quickly so that the impact on our suppliers and customers is minimised during this important trading time."
This protest marks the beginning of potential widespread disruption, as the Irish Truckers and Haulage Association Against Fuel Prices are set to take to the streets of Dublin on Monday.
Last month, their demonstration brought traffic in the capital to a standstill.
It is understood this protest will be bigger than the last. Farmers, taxi drivers, people from rural Ireland and bus operators have been asked to join.
Meeting points in Cork, Galway, Westmeath, Wicklow, Meath and Kildare have been posted on the group's Facebook page. It is expected that convoys will meet at these locations, then make their way to Dublin driving at 50 km/h, which is the lowest speed allowed on a motorway.
The group has said the protest will last for 24 hours, or maybe even longer.
The farming protestors are claiming to represent the views of the “free people of rural Ireland and Irish farmers”. Gardaí said the incident is ongoing and they are maintaining a presence in the area.
The gardaí have put a policing plan in place ahead of Monday’s protest which will effectively shut down roads in and around Dublin city.
It is understood the group has not engaged with the gardaí ahead of Monday’s event. Protests in Ireland do not require official permission but the Garda encourages organisers to liaise with it in order to minimise disruption and ensure safety.
A similar protest organised by the group last month caused major traffic disruption as truckers engaged in a rolling blockade along the M50.
It is understood a Garda Public Order Unit will also be on standby and operating in the background during the protest, along with a garda tactical advisor.
Sources said this is in case anti-vaccination protesters attempt to hijack the demonstration. Retail representatives have criticised the planned protest, which they say will “imperil livelihoods at a time when every trading day counts”.
This follows complaints that last month’s protest caused people to miss medical appointments and that truckers were blowing their horns outside Holles Street Maternity Hospital. Organisers have this time asked participants to “be aware of your surroundings [...] when beeping horns”.
“We want a peaceful protest and no trouble.”
