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LAST UPDATE | 9 Apr
PROTESTS OVER THE government’s response to rising fuel prices continued this evening and are expected to continue tomorrow, with the Defence Forces set to be deployed to remove vehicles blocking critical infrastructure.
The National Emergency Coordination Group met twice this afternoon to discuss the response, but panic buying of fuel has already begun, with reports of some people filling up several drums.
Meanwhile, the M50 is still chock-a-block, as an earlier slow-moving convoy of protesters caused knock-on delays and partial closures.
Blockades have been taking place at fuel depots in Limerick and Galway, and at Ireland’s only oil refinery at Whitegate in Co Cork.
The CEO of industry association Fuels for Ireland has pleaded for the protests to end, with Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan claiming that protesters are being ‘manipulated’.
Updates by Andrew Walsh, Rónán Duffy, Mairead Maguire and Jane Moore.
Good morning and welcome to our coverage of the third day of the fuel protests.
We’ll be bringing you all the latest on the ongoing disruption to traffic, as well as news on the Defence Forces being requested to remove vehicles blocking critical infrastructure,
In case you missed it, here’s a quick recap on the latest developments this morning:
Our reporter Concubhar Ó Liatháin is in Macroom, Co Cork, where Taoiseach Micheál Martin is expected to open a factory extension for modular home builder Cygnum shortly.
He said the Macroom N22 bypass has been blocked by fuel protesters.
The Defence Forces have confirmed that their assistance had been requested by gardaí in the form of “heavy vehicle recovery”.
“As this operation is ongoing, we will not provide further comment until it is concluded,” they said in a statement.
It is understood that the army will seek to remove blockades at fuel depots. It is unclear whether vehicles on key roads will be moved.
Our reporter Niall O’Connor is at the Whitegate oil refinery in Cork, where he has been speaking to protesters there in the last hour.
One protester, Tadhg, said they are seeking a cap on the price of fuel, adding that Spain has done this in response to rising prices.
I spoke to one of the protestors here at Whitegate Refinery which is blockaded at present. @thejournal_ie
— Niall O’Connor (@NiallJournal_ie) April 9, 2026
Tadhg said: pic.twitter.com/8k5xwOMLlG
Here is Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s latest statement on traffic disruption on major roads across the country.
Congestion Report:
— TII Traffic (@TIITraffic) April 9, 2026
Delays on routes around Dublin: N4/M4 (E), N3/M3 (E), N2/M2 (E), M1 (S).
Closures on following routes:
M7 - J16 - J18 - BOTH DIRECTIONS
M7 - J29 - J30 - BOTH DIRECTIONS
M8 - J09 - J08 - NORTHBOUND
M8 - J18- SOUTHBOUND
M18 - J02 - J01 - SOUTHBOUND
M18 -… pic.twitter.com/JEhpk8h1I8
TII also has a map on its website which shows where the disruptions are around the country in real time.
The map can be found here, while a list format can be found here.
Readers in Dublin will not be surprised to hear that traffic disruption is continuing in the city centre.
For anyone relying on public transport in the capital today, a full list of Dublin Bus cancellations and diversions can be found here.
Luas Green Line services are still not operating between St Stephen’s Green and Dominick. Services are operating between Broombridge and Dominick and between St. Stephen’s Green and Brides Glen only.
Luas Red Line services are operating normally.
Speaking to The Journal this morning, Sinn Féin’s TD Matt Carthy, who spoke at the protest demonstration on O’Connell Street earlier this week, said his party’s position remains the same and that they continue to support the protesters.
“There‘s a very simple way to resolve all of this and it’s for the government to meet with the protesters. I’ve no doubt that if a meeting is arranged, the protest will be called off entirely.”
Asked if Sinn Féin believe the blockade of fuel depots and the Whitegate refinery in Cork is a legitimate form of protest, Carthy said:
“We can get bogged down in what’s legitimate or not, but we want to see the protest ended.”
He stressed that his sense is that if the government offer a meeting, the protest will be called off.
He said the comments from the Taoiseach today and the decision to enlist the help of the army to clear the blockades have only “escalated and antagonised” the situation.
He called on Taoiseach Micheál Martin to “descalate” the situation.
One Nenagh resident had to queue for fuel with other motorists this morning, with only one diesel pump open in the filling station.
With reports of fuel shortages and queues forming at petrol stations in some parts of the country, we want to know what you’re seeing at your local filling station.
Let us know by emailing tips@thejournal.ie with your location, a short description and images and/or footage, if possible.
Here’s a short explainer from our reporter Niall O’Connor, who is currently at Whitegate oil refinery in Cork, detailing what’s happening there right now:
Here is a quick explainer video of what is happening here at Whitegate. @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/cjgl0qjUh9
— Niall O’Connor (@NiallJournal_ie) April 9, 2026
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has arrived in Macroom to open that factory extension that we told you about earlier.
Our reporter Concubhar Ó Liatháin is there, and says a small group of protesters are at the entrance of the estate where the factory is located – along with gardaí.
HSE Mid West has said that it is taking staff four to six hours to get to work amid the fuel protests.
In a letter to members of government, seen by The Journal, regional executive officer Sandra Broderick said there is “a significant level of concern among management, staff and patients” about difficulties for emergency services navigating the road blockages.
She said there was also concern about “severe delays for staff travelling to and from work, with journeys taking 4-6 hours instead of the usual 30 minutes”, along with patients being unable to attend critical appointmnts.
She also cited reports that “several petrol stations in the vicinity of our only acute hospital are out of fuel, with serious implications for staff, patients and emergency services”.
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and HSE CEO Anne O’Connor have subsequently called for entrances to hospitals and other medical facilities to be kept clear for emergency service vehicles, patients attending appointments and staff.
“Attending hospital or receiving treatment in the community, whether in an emergency situation or for a routine appointment, is a vulnerable time for a patient and their family,” Caroll MacNeill said in a joint statement with O’Connor.
“Please respect the critical need for clear and safe access to all healthcare services, to ensure that access to care is never compromised.”
The price of home heating oil rose by 67.5% in the month between February and March, according to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office.
Statitician Anthony Dawson said it is the highest ever month-on-month increase.
“When we look at the price indices which shows price trends over time, in March 2026 the price of home heating oil was at its highest level since the CSO started publishing detailed sub-indices in 1996,” he said.
The cost has risen by 63.3% in the last year.
It is the largest annual increase since September 2022, when prices increased by 83.7% year on year.
Meanwhile, the price of diesel and petrol increased by 18.1% and 7.7% respectively last month and were up by 16.5% and 5.7% since March 2025.
This was the largest annual rise in the price of diesel since November 2022 when prices went up by 24.7%.
It was the largest annual increase in petrol prices since July 2024 when prices rose by 8.8% when compared with July 2023.
Independent Ireland has said it is “a deeply concerning development” that the government has moved “to call in the army rather than pick up the phone and engage with those affected”.
“This crisis did not emerge overnight, yet the response from Government has been consistently tone deaf — refusing to listen and refusing to meaningfully engage with the thousands of businesses impacted by their tax policies,” the party said in a statement.
“Independent Ireland have called for debate on this issue for weeks, having written to the Ceann Comhairle and called on Government to recall the Dail but the Government refused to act.”
The party said that no one wants to see disruption or delays, but claimed the government’s approach “has only escalated the situation”.
Democracy is built on dialogue, on listening, and on working towards solutions. The deployment of the Defence Forces should always be a last resort, not an initial response.
“Elected representatives from a number of parties have already engaged on the ground, and there is clearly scope for mediation between protestors and Government. That opportunity should be taken.
“We are calling for calm on all sides and for immediate, meaningful engagement to resolve this situation before it escalates further.”
Protesters in Foynes have agreed to allow water treatment lorries and around 30 feed trucks through their blockade.
The first truck passed through in the last half hour.
If you’re in any WhatsApp groups, you may have heard an anoymous voice note that was shared last night claiming that organisers were going to massively escalate the fuel protests today.
“In the next couple of hours, they’re going to shut every single port that delivers fuel to petrol stations. And they’re asking all the people that, at 8 o’clock tonight, to drive into your local forecourt station, switch off the engine, and leave it there,” the voice note claimed.
This hasn’t happened. Our fact-check journalist Shane Raymond has been looking into why misinformation like this often spreads during uncertain events like these.
Here are the latest images of the protesters at Whitegate oil refinery, courtesy of our reporter Niall O’Connor.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has called on the government to meet with the fuel protesters.
Speaking at an event to launch the party’s policy on Irish neutrality, she said “dithering and half-measures” from the coalition is escalating “an impossible situation”.
“Rather than escalating the situation, they need to lift the phone, they need to engage with the protesters and hear what they say.”
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael need to meet with the agricultural contractors, farmers and hauliers who are out on protest due to rising fuel prices which have people under huge pressure. Sneers and threats from government need to stop.
— Mary Lou McDonald (@MaryLouMcDonald) April 9, 2026
If the government had listened to Sinn Féin… pic.twitter.com/DZQutrRimE
One reader has sent us photos of cars queueing at the Knockadown service station near Athea in Co Limerick.
He said there were around 25 vehicles in the queue as he was leaving, ading that it is “one of the few stations [in the area] allowing people to actually fill up” as opposed to allowing a limited amount of fuel.
Up to 40 forecourts in Munster, as well as some in Connacht, have closed pumps or are running out of fuel due to shortages caused by the blockade at Foynes Port.
Vincent Jennings, CEO of the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association, told The Journal that the blockade at Foynes has caused fuel shortages in Munster and Connacht – areas served by the Foynes depots.
Minister for Tourism Patrick O’Donovan has said there are “a very substantial number” of filling stations around the country that have run out of fuel.
Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One, he said he believes “a line has been overstepped”
O’Donovan said that “the right to protest has now impeded upon the ordinary people’s rights to be able to move around the country and to be able to get on with their business”.
He said there is a mechanism to resolve the protests, “which is dialogue between the representative organisations and the government to come to a resolution that everybody will be able to support”.
The Minister said it can’t go unnoticed that there are fuel issues all over the world due to the war in Iran.
“The issue with regard to fuel in Ireland at the moment,with forecourts being closed all over county Limerick and a queue a mile long outside my own constituency office, doesn’t relate to the Strait of Hormuz. It relates to a distribution problem, where we have Whitegate, Foynes,Galway and other fuel depots around the country being blockaded.”
Suffice to say, it’s been a tense week across the country, as fuel protests continue to cause widespread disruption.
However, one Donegal man’s positive journey by ambulance is going viral online, because it revealed something else: when it mattered most in an emergency, people made way.
Mark McCollum, who was taken by ambulance to University Hospital Galway for cardiac tests on Tuesday, has written about how helpful everyone was at a challenging time.
He says that as a patient in an ambulance that morning, he was feeling vulnerable, but was relieved to find a community spirit. Trucks and lorries moved out of the way for the ambulance.
Mark has written about the experience and says he hopes it can illustrate that even when we’re all at odds across the country, our humanity is still intact.
You can read Mark’s Facebook post here.
Our Political Editor Christina Finn understands that a meeting of the NECG took place a short time ago, a statement is to issue shortly.
Senior sources stated that panic buying has already begun and knock on effects will begin to be felt within 24 hours.
They added that at the moment the impact is in the Mid-West but it is expected this could spread, which will result in emergency services such as fire trucks and ambulances not having access to fuel.
One reader of The Journal shared a photo of a trailer full of drums of fuel.
“Here in Clonmel it’s absolutely mental,” they said. “People filling up drums. So bad.”
Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has just said the M50 at J05 – Finglas (Northbound) is closed due to an incident.
⚠️Incident Ahead⚠️
— TII Traffic (@TIITraffic) April 9, 2026
M50 AT J05 - FINGALS
Northbound.
Lanes affected: Full Road Closure.
Expect delays! #TIITraffic@GardaTraffic@DubFireBrigade@LiveDrive@DCCTraffic pic.twitter.com/fHDF6Z1WXv
TII earlier released a map of where disruption is at its worst.
“TII’s network operations are working closely with the Garda Traffic Core to assist in managing the on-going traffic distribution,” it said in a statement.
It requested that all road users leave the hard shoulder available for emergency services.
🚧 TII Statement on National Road/Motorway Network Protest Impact🚧
— TII Traffic (@TIITraffic) April 9, 2026
There is significant distribution across the national road/motorway network currently impacting Counties Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, Laois, Offaly, Kildare, Galway, Cork, and Dublin.
TII’s network operations… pic.twitter.com/BY66bDwBS7
The National Emergency Coordination Group has finished their meeting and will reconvene at 3.30pm to give a statement to the media.
It is understood that the meeting heard that some people are not able to attend medical appointments.
Critical services are interrupted as people cannot attend scheduled dialysis and cancer treatment.
Just-in-Time medical supplies, which are delivered directly to hospitals or points of use as needed, are running low.
Meanwhile, the National Ambulance Service is having difficulty getting through the protests to attend emergencies.
The Luas Red Line between Smithfield and The Point/Connolly are currently not running because of a medical emergency at the Four Courts.
https://x.com/Luas/status/2042227782881579125?s=20
Green Line services between St Stephen’s Green and Dominick remain suspended due to protests in the city centre.
Our reporter Conchubar Ó Liatháin shared a photo of lengthy queues for petrol and diesel in Tí Gheraghty in An Cheathrú Rua, Co Galway.
People wondering what impact the ongoing fuel protests might have on their journey, particularly as they try to get home from work this evening.
The Transport Infrastructure Ireland’s (TII) traffic map outlines all the incidents, roadworks and congestion spots across the country in real time.
The traffic map can be accessed here and TII have advised that the protest is “mobile at times and can impact different regions at different times”.
TII staff were, understandably, too busy today to tell The Journal how it works, but our reporter Diarmuid Pepper did some research.
Political Editor Christina Finn has more insider knowledge of what was discussed at the National Emergency Coordination Group earlier today.
Senior sources say the meeting was told that the convoys are targeting almost all ports, but Dublin is one of the few unaffected.
However, it will be the focus of protesters later today, causing concern for An Garda Síochána.
As a result, gardaí are currently trying to divert the protest away from Dublin.
Ships at ports affected by disruption cannot unload goods.
Meanwhile, Uisce Éireann have chemicals in Fermoy that cannot be released due to the obstructions.
Our reporter Niall O’Connor is at Whitegate refinery in Cork, where a blockade is still in place and protesters are deciding how they will proceed.
There’s just been a meeting here at Whitegate Refinery of protestors with Ken O’Flynn of Independent Ireland. They’ve outlined how the protest with continue. @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/6g1apbffGj
— Niall O’Connor (@NiallJournal_ie) April 9, 2026
The group was told that if authorities try to move them, they will “stand across the road and fold our arms”.
“If they’re going to start arresting people … then we’re all going to do a rolling protest out here, up to the roundabout and back again at a couple of kilometres an hour,” one organiser said.
Ken O’Flynn, an Independent Ireland TD, has been involved in the planning talks.
He advised protesters to be respectful when dealing with authorities.
Croke Park has postponed interviews for Voluntary Stewards due to the traffic.
Please note that due to on-going road protest closures and travel disruption, the Voluntary Stewards interviews for this evening 9th April have been postponed, a new date will be announced soon. pic.twitter.com/EF7K2ZubIv
— Croke Park (@CrokePark) April 9, 2026
One protester at Whitegate in Cork showed News Correspondent Niall O’Connor how he’s tracked the price of fuel on spreadsheets.
See how the prices in June 2023 compare with last month.
Our Political Editor Christina Finn now has a full report on what was discussed earlier by the National Emergency Co-ordination Group.
One of the major concerns is if the blockades reach Dublin Port.
The capital’s is one of the few unaffected ports, but it is understood officials were told that it could be the focus for protests later today.
The gardaí are trying to divert the protest away from Dublin at present, but if Dublin Port is blocked, food supplies will become an issue, the emergency group was informed.
While there are wider concerns about food supplies if the protests hit Dublin Port and continue, warnings have already been issued from the animal feed sector due to blockades at ports like Foynes and Ringaskiddy.
In a statement today, the Irish Grain and Feed Association said that feed mills require various materials for manufacturing and that these materials must be collected “almost daily from ports”.
“Without these ingredients they cannot manufacture feed for Irish animals, resulting in knock-on impacts on the production of Irish milk, meat and eggs,” the statement said.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has claimed that fuel protesters are being “manipulated” by “outside actors”.
Speaking to the media on this afternoon, O’Callaghan said “when you look online at present, you can see that many outside actors are seeking to manipulate these people for their own purposes”.
He added that British far-right activist Tommy Robinson was “referring to and relying upon these protests to advance his own political measures”.
“So I think we need to recognise that people are being manipulated here, and we need to bring an end to these protests.”
https://bsky.app/profile/janematthews1.bsky.social/post/3mj33lsqpzc2u
The above live image from TII shows the M50 at Junction 3. The left lane you see there that’s relatively empty is on approach to the airport while the southbound route appears bumper-to-bumper.
TII has warned that there is an incident northbound just after Junction 6, with just one lane open.
The northbound blockage can be seen here in another of TII’s cameras, the packed lane on this occasion is on the northbound side.
It’s meant that there are significant delays along Dublin’s main artery, with some vidoes showing at least one person putting themselves at risk by getting out and walking.
Something of course that is incredibly dangerous and not advised.
Dublin Airport has advised passengers travelling to and from the airport to allow extra time for their journey.
Chaos on the M50. People walking to the airport, others missing flights. How many people sympathise with these ‘protesters’? pic.twitter.com/bEmCSWvWVm
— Roy Brindley (@Roy_OnTheRoad) April 9, 2026
CEO of Fuels for Ireland Kevin McPartlan is essentially pleading with the protesters to call of the blockades, saying “farmers, hauliers, workers” and communities…. rely on fuel to live”.
“The position is straightforward. If access to fuel terminals and refineries is obstructed, fuel cannot be loaded and delivered as normal. If fuel cannot be delivered as normal, stock levels at forecourts cannot be maintained. What we are now seeing at some sites is the inevitable consequence of those blockades,” he said.
“We want to be clear that we have real empathy for the concerns that are driving these protests. We fully understand the pressure that very high fuel prices are placing on hauliers, agricultural contractors, small businesses and families. Those concerns are real and legitimate.
But blockading fuel terminals and refineries is a serious misjudgement. It does not put pressure on decision-makers in any meaningful way.
Instead, it disrupts the lives of ordinary people and damages the very communities the protesters say they represent.
For that reason, we are appealing directly to those involved to stand down these protests at these fuel terminals and the refinery.”
Political Correspondent Jane Matthews was down at the press conference with the Justice Minister, here’s the latest from her.
—————————————
I’m just back from a hastily organised press conference with Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan, who was once again appealing for the protest to end.
He said the demonstrators have “made their point” and now need to “cop on to the damage they are inflecting”.
“Government has heard the point that they’ve made, but it’s now clearly the case that considerable damage has been inflicted to Irish people and to the Irish economy, and I’d ask them to stop their protests now,” he said.
Most interestingly though, the Minister claimed that the protesters are being “manipulated by outside sources” such as British far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
“When you look online at present, you can see that many outside actors are seeking to manipulate these people for their own purposes.
“I see Tommy Robinson in the UK referring to and relying upon these protests to advance his own political measures. So I think we need to recognise that people are being manipulated here, and we need to bring an end to these protests,” the Minister said.
When questioned on this claim by The Journal, the Minister doubled down on it.
https://bsky.app/profile/janematthews1.bsky.social/post/3mj355noh2c2e
Robinson has been voicing his support for the fuel protests in Ireland online, but there is no evidence to suggest he has any involvement in the organisation of them.
The protests were first organised last week and are now in their third day. Tommy Robinson only began posting about them on social media late last night.
——————————————–
The news that significantly ramped up the tension this morning that a request was made by An Garda Síochána to the Defence Forces that they be of assistance if required.
I has been understood that the assistance would likely take the form of the provision of machinery to remove vehicles.
The Journal has established that a specfic request has now been made by gardaí in the south-east of the country to the Defence Forces to assist them in moving a vehicle in that region.
We understand that that operatoon is ongoing.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin spoke on the protests again earlier this afternoon.
“I cannot for the life of me understand why the ordinary people of this country should be denied access to fuel, access to water,” Martin told reporters in Macroom, Co Cork.
“I welcome the fact – but it should never have happened in the first instance – but why blockade Foynes and prevent vital material from coming out, that’s central to the purification of water.”
Martin added that the blockade on fuel depots “doesn’t make sense”.
“These types of blockades should not happen because they’re denying and hurting ordinary people out there. People need access to their jobs, they need access to the basic essentials of life.”
Martin was also confronted by a fuel protester in Cork, who accused him of “walking away from the Irish people”.
The National Emergency Coordination Group (the State’s emergency group) has issued a statement on their meeting earlier, during which they were briefed by the HSE on the fact that transport disruption is causing people to miss scheduled medical appointments.
The HSE also said that the protests are impacting the provision of homecare and critical care, such as dialysis and cancer treatment, to some service users.
The NECG was warned that the blockades have the potential to disrupt the time-sensitive delivery of key medicines and medical devices, given that frequent and reliable transport is critical to their supply.
Read more about the impact of the protests on the HSE here.
Vicky O’Dwyer, Clinical Director at the Rotunda, said some pregnant women have experienced delays attending appointments at the hospital due to the fuel protests.
Speaking to The Journal, O’Dwyer said others have chosen to reschedule their appointments in light of travel disruptions.
O’Dwyer said staff have also been affected by the protests, with many arriving late to their shifts yesterday. On-call staff who often partially work from home are choosing to remain on-site in case of being unable to attend emergency situations due to travel issues.
“We all hope this will be resolved soon,” she said.
Some protesters have departed Foynes Port in Limerick this afternoon following engagement with gardaí.
In line with our tradition of policing by consent, An Garda Síochána has been operating on the basis of the 4Es – Engage, Explain, Encourage and Enforce.
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) April 9, 2026
Following positive engagement some critical deliveries have departed Foynes Port in Co. Limerick this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/bhILlM7l5z
Drivers outside Dublin heading in the direction of the M50 have been warned that their entry to the motorway may be restricted.
The off ramps from both the M1 and M3 to the M50 are currently blocked.
❌M3❌
— LiveDrive (@LiveDrive) April 9, 2026
Services have blocked the M3 ramp onto the M50 Northbound.
Dozens of people have been spotted walking along the hard shoulder of the M50 northbound with suitcases this afternoon, as the motorway remains heavily congested as a result of fuel price protests.
A number of people could be seen leaving vehicles along the northbound stretch of the M50 this afternoon between junctions 4 and 5, suitcases in hand.
Dublin Airport has urged passengers to allow extra time for their journeys to the airport this evening.
Comment by Acting Deputy Commissioner Paul Cleary ongoing Fuel Protests - 9th April 2026 pic.twitter.com/5BFsQaXB6Y
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) April 9, 2026
A number of sports fixtures are being cancelled tonight due to fuel shortages – including all juvenile games in Co Cork.
Due to the ongoing fuel shortage/crises where many garages are closed and more with road closures etc. expected around the county, Rebel Og have taken the decision to postpone all juvenile games fixed for this evening Thursday 9th April.
— Rebel Og (@RebelOg_) April 9, 2026
In a statement this evening, the Government has said that State fuel supplies “remain robust”, but that deliveries are being “disrupted due to blocked routes”.
Blockades are causing major disruption to transport, supply chains and vital services.
— Government of Ireland (@GovIE) April 9, 2026
Fuel supplies remain robust, but deliveries are being disrupted due to blocked routes.
The public are advised to plan their journey before travelling and allow extra travel time. pic.twitter.com/s3bLXaYRzp
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan is now speaking on RTÉ News, and has reiterated that Government “wants protests to end peacefully”.
“I would appeal to the protesters, we have heard them loud and clear”
“Call it off,” O’Callaghan said. “Irish people are being damaged by this.”
“It’s interesting to see that a number of Government TDs went to a protest in Galway, and didn’t get a very positive reception,” Minister O’Callaghan told RTÉ News.
“These aren’t protests anymore. They’re now blockades of critical infrastructure. If the message goes out that if you block critical infrastructure, if your park your truck in the middle of O’Connell Street, you can expect to come into Government and set out your demands – what happens if Government says these people, sorry, we can’t agree to those demands, the likelihood is that they’re just going to go out and protest again.
“There is a democracy here. People are elected to represent the interests of the Irish people. That is still there. That’s our elected democracy, and it would appeal to the people who are protesting to try to funnel their issues through their representatives or through their organisations.
“Government has heard them, but like this has to come to an end. People are being damaged by this.”
Ministers Jim O’Callaghan and Helen McEntee met this evening with senior figures of An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces to discuss the fuel protests.
“Both Ministers were briefed on the measures in place to address disruption and to ensure the continued flow of essential supplies nationwide,” a statement from the ministers read.
“An Garda Síochána is leading the operational response. The Defence Forces remain on standby to provide assistance in support of the civil authorities.”
Fianna Fáil TD Seán Fleming has broken Government ranks and called on the State to cap fuel prices.
“Since prices went up at the pumps, the Government is getting more money from taxes,” Fleming said in a post on social media.
“I believe it is important to keep costs down at this stage for the entire economy,” he added.
— Seán Fleming (@SeanFlemingTD) April 9, 2026
Circle K at Kinsale road Roundabout in Cork City, normally a busy filling station, is empty this evening.
The representative body for home care providers has said home carers are struggling to secure fuel supplies due to ongoing protests.
Joseph Musgrave, Chief Executive of Home & Community Care Ireland, said the organisation has received a “high number of reports” on the issue from home carers around the country, particularly in the south and west.
“Many home carers have no alternative to travelling by car to their clients’ homes. The Government must ensure the essential and uninterrupted care of the elderly and the vulnerable throughout this crisis,” he said.
The M50 northbound remains completely closed between junction 6 (Blanchardstown) and junction 5 (Finglas).
⚠️Incident Ahead⚠️
— TII Traffic (@TIITraffic) April 9, 2026
M50 at J06.
Northbound.
Lanes affected: Full Road Closure.
Expect delays! #TIITraffic@GardaTraffic@DubFireBrigade@LiveDrive@DCCTraffic pic.twitter.com/uVRkytG6Fl
Here’s what the M50 currently looks like at junction 5 (Finglas).
Queues are still rather busy at a number of petrol stations across the country this evening.
At a Top Oil Station in Rush, queues are blocking the main street of the town.
That’s it from us for tonight – thanks for reading, and safe home if you’re currently travelling.
A meeting is to be held by Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon and Minister of State Timmy Dooley tomorrow with a number of representative groups tomorrow on the ongoing fuel protests – and one of the top protest organisers says that he’ll also be in attendance.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Prime Time, Dooley confirmed that the meeting was taking place, though he did not clarify if the organisers of the protests are attending the meeting.
“I can only tell you the Government’s position, which is that we’re tomorrow, we’re meeting with representative groupings that have been invited,” Dooley said.
“Who those groups choose to bring with them is a matter for those representative bodies. So I don’t know.”
He added that the Government has issued invitations to the representative bodies to “continue the dialogue that started last week between Minister Heydon and the Tánaiste”.
“There were proposals put forward at that and that did include the IFA, the ICMSA, it included contractors, groupings and associations. My clear information is that it will be those groups who have been invited and will be in attendance,” Dooley added.
James Geoghegan, an agricultural contractor and one of the self-styled leaders of the protests, told Prime Time that the meeting will take place aty 2.30pm tomorrow, and seemed t imply that he would be in attendance.
He added that he had found out about the meeting with Government this evening.
“We have a breakthrough,” Geoghegan said. “I got a phone call tonight, so we have a meeting with Government.”
Geoghegan added that in the last hour, protesters have “pulled in the protest off O’Connell Bridge”, though he clarified that there “definitely will be” further protests tomorrow “because we have a list of demands going into the Government tomorrow”.
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