Fuel Price Protest Day Three: Government Behaviour 'Cowardly' - Offaly TD

Offaly TD Carol Nolan at the fuel protests on the Roscrea Road, Birr. Photo credit: Carol Nolan TD

Demonstrators will be taking action across the midlands today.

Petrol and diesel will be limited at forecourts where stock is running low, while some have already run out.


After 48 hours of blockades at the country's main depots, a number of sites are completely sold out of fuel, while others will cap the amount people can buy at a time to stretch out stock. 


Protests are currently active at depots in Galway and Limerick, as well as Ireland's only oil refinery at Whitegate in Cork.


Kevin McPartlan, Head of Fuels for Ireland, says while he understands protester's frustrations, he believes they've 'badly misjudged' their tactics by blocking critical access to fuel: 

The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces says its troops are ‘happy’ to lift heavy load vehicles out of the way, if they continue to block critical infrastructure.

It follows a request from the Gardai for additional support to help with protestors.

Lieutenant General  Rossa Mulcahy says soldiers are ready to go:

 

Gardaí say an enforcement phase in dealing with fuel protests is now beginning.

The force is calling on demonstrators to 'cease and desist' their action and stop blocking critical infrastructure.

A request has been made for help from the Defence Forces, should it be needed - but online videos of troops moving through Limerick has been debunked as a training exercise.

Garda Deputy Commissioner Shawna Coxon, says protests have escalated:

An Offaly TD says the government behaviour over the fuel price protests is "cowardly".

Carol Nolan attended demonstrations in Birr and Cloghan over the last two days, and says the Taoiseach should be meeting protestors rather than calling in the Defence Forces.

The Independent rep says it's clear people are fed up with what's going on:

Jody Conway from Conway Scaffolding and Slieve Bloom Landscaping is among those protesting today in Offaly.

He says small businesses are the ones suffering:

Emily Keegan is reporting from Kinnegad Plaza in Westmeath, where protesters say they will double down on action following the announcement Defence Forces are being drafted in:

Sonny is leading the convoy from Kinnegad this morning. 

He says news of the Defence Forces becoming involved won't discourage them:


Security and Defence Analyst, Mullingar's Declan Power says the defence forces has the equipment necessary to deal with vehicles blocking depots:

Oil terminals are also being blocked, with trucks being prevented from gaining access at Whitegate in Cork, Foynes in Limerick and the Galway oil terminal. 

Kevin McPartlan from Fuels for Ireland says that is set to backfire on the public. 

Self-described PRO for the protest organisers, Westmeath's James Geoghegan claims the representative bodies have made no progress in their talks with the Government.

This is despite a €250m package of supports announced late last month:

Taoiseach Micheál Martin last night described the blockading of the Irving Oil refinery in Whitegate as an ‘act of national sabotage’ and an ‘outrage’. 

Noreen has joined the protest on the Macroom bypass in her car this morning and is calling for other motorists to get involved in the protest: 

A Midlands MEP is defending fuel price protestors in the European Parliament as demonstrations enter a third day in Ireland.

Ciaran Mullooly believes those food producers involved in blockades across the country should be supported rather than criticised.

The Independent Ireland rep says the protests will continue across the continent if something isn't done soon:

The Fuel Price Protest convoy on the m6 between Athlone and Moate this morning:

This man slept on O’Connell Street in Dublin last night and says the public are behind the protest:

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