GARDAÍ ARRESTED FIVE people following fuel protests in Cork city yesterday.

A large public demonstration was underway in the city centre and across other towns and cities, with politicians and various groups addressing the crowd at Grand Parade.

According to gardaí, the gathering quickly grew in size and was joined by several HGVs and tractors, which moved slowly through the city centre for a time.

Uniformed Gardaí and members of the Public Order Unit engaged with the drivers to “ensure public safety”, with the drivers of the heavy vehicles agreeing to disperse and leave the area.

Of those arrested, four were men – two are aged in their 50s, one in his 40s and one in his 30s. One woman in her 40s was arrested under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994.

They were taken to a Garda station in Cork City and later released, having been charged to appear before Cork District Court in the coming weeks.

“Directions were also issued under the Public Order Act to a number of individuals instructing them to leave the roadway, some failed to comply,” a garda spokesperson said.

“The remainder of the crowd dispersed peacefully. No injuries were reported,” the garda spokesperson said.