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

11 Apr 2026, 06:29 by Mairead Maguire, https://www.thejournal.ie/author/mairead-maguire/ · TheJournal.ie

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, the National Emergency Coordination Group has estimated that up to 500 of Ireland’s 1,500 filling stations may have run out of petrol and diesel by last night.

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 provide such a package until the blockades cease.

This morning, parts of the M50 are closed, including between the J5 M50/N2 and J6 M50/N3 Southbound and between J6 M50/N3 and J4 Ballymun Northbound. More updates will be available later in the morning, but road users can follow Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s live map to see real-time congestion.

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.

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.

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.