M50 partially closed and public transport remains disrupted as blockades enter fifth day

LAST UPDATE | 21 hrs ago

BLOCKADES IN DUBLIN City Centre, on the M50 and on other motorways are continuing today, after yesterday’s talks aimed at defusing protests failed.

As a result of protesters blocking the entrances to fuel depots with tractors and lorries, Fuels for Ireland said about 600 of the 1,500 filling stations in the Republic of Ireland have run dry.

Talks between the government and representative groups are to continue today, and ministers have said a “significant and enhanced support package” for the impacted sectors is being finalised.

However, the government has vowed not to reveal details such a package until the blockades cease.

Blockades have resulted in full closures of parts of the M50 ring road around Dublin, as well as the M4, M6, M7, M8, M9 and M20.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland, which is responsible for motorways, said there is “significant disruption” to its network impacting counties Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, Laois, Offaly, Kildare, Galway, Cork, and Dublin.

Road users can follow Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s live map to see real-time congestion.

Advertisement

Dublin Bus says disruption to almost all its services will continue due to road closures around the city. Information on diversions in place for specific routes can be found on the Dublin Bus website.

Bus Éireann’s service to Rosslare Europort is currently suspended until further notice, and will instead begin and end at Wexford train station.

No Bus Éireann services are leaving Busáras today.

The LUAS Green Line is not operating between St Stephen’s Green and Dominick.

Talks to continue 

The protests, which have seen slow-moving convoys and outright stoppages on major motorways as well as a blockade on Dublin city’s main thoroughfare, began on Tuesday over the cost of fuel.

Participants include professional drivers, farmers and hauliers as well as taxi and bus operators.

Many official representative groups recognised by government have expressed sympathy with the cause but have said they have not been involved in organising the protests.

Government ministers engaged with some of these groups on Friday but a spokesman for the protesters expressed “devastation” that they were excluded from the meeting.

Related Reads

Fire and ambulance services to be curtailed due to fuel shortages caused by protests

Dublin Airport advises travellers to use back roads as M50 blocked

'Another few days will have things crippled': Inside the fuel price protest WhatsApp groups

A commitment from the coalition on Friday night to deliver a “substantial” package of measures on fuel costs was not enough to dissuade protesters from continuing blockades.

Christopher Duffy, a spokesman for the grouping in Dublin city centre, said the protest would continue until there was a “serious reduction in our costs”.

The Defence Forces are “on standby” to help gardaí remove blockades at critical infrastructure. 

An Garda Síochána internally declared an “exceptional event”, allowing it to designate every member available for duty over the weekend.

CEO of the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association Vincent Jennings told The Journal that shortages of essential goods in stores are “only a matter of time if delivery vans can’t refuel or blockades make journeys unviable to go to outlying stores”.

He said he expected the number “will grow quite dramatically” if ongoing blockades of fuel depots remain in place.

Protesters have set up a blockade down the road from Rosslare Europort and shipments are currently unable to get through.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More Support The Journal