Protests at depots, disruption for commuters

Today is the fourth day of action by protesters nationwide over the rising cost of fuel.

Protesters remain in place at fuel terminals in Foynes in Co Limerick, as well as at Galway Port.

A blockade is also continuing at the country's only oil refinery in Whitegate, east Cork.

Fuel trucks at all three sites have been prevented from entering or leaving, which is rapidly impacting fuel supplies in Munster and the west of the country.

Over 60 gardaí are present at the protest in Whitegate, including members of the public order unit.

Gardaí have blocked off the main road to the protest.

Gardaí at the scene in Whitegate spoke with a delegation of the protesters for around an hour this morning.

Since then, the protesters have reversed additional large vehicles up the approach road to the Irving Oil refinery.

Gardaí said that talks with the protesters remain ongoing and they remain open to dialogue.

However, they expect that it will take some time if a resolution is to be reached.

Certain traffic, such as workers' cars, are being allowed to pass through the blockade, but no fuel tankers are being allowed in or out.

Meanwhile, access to the Port of Cork at Ringaskiddy remains restricted this morning.

The build-up of over 200 container trucks and long tailbacks reported yesterday has since cleared, with traffic diversions in place at Shanbally roundabout, and traffic flowing freely to and from the roundabout on the M28, but a blockade by fuel protestors remains in place.

The Port of Cork Company said in a statement that access to its facilities remains restricted this morning, but the port is open.

"We remain in close contact with An Garda Síochána and the local protest organisers, and our team on the ground are working extremely hard to alleviate the situation for our customers and visitors to the port."
While dozens of trucks and lorries were denied access to and from the port yesterday, it is understood some 40 animal feed trucks were allowed access.

In the words of one protester "there is no oil coming into or out of Galway".

Industry body Fuels for Ireland said over a hundred garage forecourts have run dry in the regions, and warned that figure could be five times higher by tonight if supply remains disrupted.

The National Emergency Coordination Group said it is considering contingencies regarding access to fuel for emergency-service vehicles.

Dublin Airport accessible via 'back roads'
In the capital, the M50 motorway was fully closed northbound between Junction 6 Blanchardstown and Junction 5 Finglas and at Junction 3 (the M1/M50 interchange).

It is also closed southbound between Junction 3 and Junction 4 Ballymun.

Dublin Airport advised passengers travelling to and from the airport this morning to allow extra time for their journey due to protest activity causing traffic disruption on approaching the airport.

Communications Director at Transport Infrastructure Ireland Sean O'Neill said that Dublin Airport was accessible - but only via back roads.

"You can (get to the airport), but through back roads, et cetera.

You have to get off the M50," he said.

Scene from M50 Junction 5 this morning
Vehicles remained parked along O'Connell Street.

However, some surrounding roads which had been closed in previous days were open to traffic.

O'Connell Bridge remained closed but the North and South Quays were open and traffic moving both ways.

Dublin Bus advised customers to expect "disruption and delays" as road closures remain in place.

The Luas Green Line was not operating between St Stephen's Green and Dominick this morning but Red Line services were operating as normal.

A six kilometre tailback could be seen this morning behind a protest convoy on the M4 eastbound in Leixlip, Co Kildare.

The M7 was blocked in both directions between Junction 18 Portlaoise West and Junction 16 Portlaoise East in Laois and both directions in Limerick between Junction 28 Castletroy and the M20 interchange.

In Tipperary, southbound traffic on the M8 was blocked between Junction 6 Thurles and Junction 9 Cashel South and also at Junction 10 Cahir, while traffic was at a standstill on the northbound side of the M8 between Junction 9 Cashel South and Junction 7 Cashel North.

Delays were also reported on the M1 around Junction 18 Dundalk and on the M18 in Co Clare and Co Limerick.

In Offaly, the N72 was closed around Tullamore.

Iarnród Éireann say that accompanied freight - containers accompanied by a driver on the ferry crossing - was being allowed to leave Rosslare Europort in Co Wexford this morning.

A spokesperson for Iarnród Éireann, which owns and operates the port, said the nearby village of Kilrane, which is around 2km from the busy port, had been blocked by fuel protesters in their trucks and vehicles.

Yesterday, access to the port had been completely blocked to all types of freight carriers and lorries but foot passengers, coaches and cars were being allowed through and still are today.