Police in County Cork moved to clear demonstrators on Saturday in order to reopen the country’s only oil refinery, as protests over rising fuel prices as well as climate change policies increasing fuel prices.
Protesters had blocked key fuel depots and a major port in Dublin, with vehicles halting traffic and forcing partial highway closures. Irish police commissioner Justin Kelly called for increased enforcement, warning the disruptions posed risks to public safety, including emergency response capabilities.
“These are blockades. They are not a legitimate form of protest,” Kelly said, according to the Associated Press. “We gave the blockaders fair warning that we were moving to enforcement and they choose to ignore it and continue to hold the country to ransom.”
The demonstrations started on Tuesday, with truckers, farmers, and bus operators among those staging blockades, demanding fuel price caps and the removal of carbon tax on diesel fuel. By Saturday, government officials said negotiations were making progress. Ger Hyland, president of the Irish Road Haulage Association and a representative for some protesters, defended those involved.
“They’re hard-working business people, and they’re just trying to survive and keep their business afloat, the same as any of the rest of us here at these negotiations,” he said
Irish officials had already begun introducing measures aimed at easing rising energy costs but have expressed confusion over the protests, noting that price increases are largely tied to conflict in the Middle East. Prime Minister Michael Martin warned the country was close to turning away fuel tankers at ports, putting oil supplies at risk.
“It is unconscionable, it’s illogical, it is difficult to comprehend,” Martin said.
By Saturday, more than one-third of service stations across Ireland had run out of fuel, with shortages expected to worsen if blockades continued. Officials said reopening the Whitegate refinery would help stabilize supply.
Police began clearing protesters from the site by midday, with military personnel on standby to assist. Pepper spray was used during the operation, and at least one incident involved officers dragging a protester from a tractor. Authorities confirmed arrests were made, though the total number was not disclosed.
Protesters had blocked key fuel depots and a major port in Dublin, with vehicles halting traffic and forcing partial highway closures. Irish police commissioner Justin Kelly called for increased enforcement, warning the disruptions posed risks to public safety, including emergency response capabilities.
“These are blockades. They are not a legitimate form of protest,” Kelly said, according to the Associated Press. “We gave the blockaders fair warning that we were moving to enforcement and they choose to ignore it and continue to hold the country to ransom.”
The demonstrations started on Tuesday, with truckers, farmers, and bus operators among those staging blockades, demanding fuel price caps and the removal of carbon tax on diesel fuel. By Saturday, government officials said negotiations were making progress. Ger Hyland, president of the Irish Road Haulage Association and a representative for some protesters, defended those involved.
“They’re hard-working business people, and they’re just trying to survive and keep their business afloat, the same as any of the rest of us here at these negotiations,” he said
Irish officials had already begun introducing measures aimed at easing rising energy costs but have expressed confusion over the protests, noting that price increases are largely tied to conflict in the Middle East. Prime Minister Michael Martin warned the country was close to turning away fuel tankers at ports, putting oil supplies at risk.
“It is unconscionable, it’s illogical, it is difficult to comprehend,” Martin said.
By Saturday, more than one-third of service stations across Ireland had run out of fuel, with shortages expected to worsen if blockades continued. Officials said reopening the Whitegate refinery would help stabilize supply.
Police began clearing protesters from the site by midday, with military personnel on standby to assist. Pepper spray was used during the operation, and at least one incident involved officers dragging a protester from a tractor. Authorities confirmed arrests were made, though the total number was not disclosed.
