EVERY GARDA IN the country has been ordered by the Garda Commissioner to work for the next three days to police the ongoing fuel protests and blockades.

The order is described as an “exceptional event” within An Garda Síochána, and one which is rarely used. 

The Journal understands that gardaí who were to have rest days across the weekend are now expected to show up to work from Saturday until Monday evening.

All gardaí with public order training have been told to arrive in their protective gear.

Sergeants were told on Friday night to urgently inform the members under their command.

All gardaí have been told to ensure they bring radios to work, as well as body cameras for those who have been assigned them.

An Garda Síochána said earlier that it was escalating its response to the fuel protests. The force uses a system called the 4Es to police protests, which begins with engaging, explaining and encouraging protesters. If these fail, the force moves to ‘enforce’, which is a significant escalation.

“As part of our well-established graduated policing response in dealing with protests, An Garda Síochána is now moving to an enforcement phase in relation to those impacting on critical infrastructure unless they desist and disperse from these blockades,” deputy commissioner for policing operations Shawna Coxon said.

“An Garda Síochána is advising protestors to immediately cease blockades of such critical infrastructure or face the full rigours of the law.”

In response to a request for comment, An Garda Siochána confirmed that it had “in agreement with all the garda associations, declared an exceptional event in accordance with the Midlands Working Time Agreement 2024. An Garda Siochána has no further comment at this time.”