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PROTESTERS IN A convoy of tractors and lorries have gathered in Dublin in a call for urgent action on the price of fuel, saying the rising costs are unsustainable for them.
The protest has seen the slow-moving convoys cause disruption on Irish roads across the country as they headed for the capital city. Speeches got underway outside the GPO on Dublin’s O’Connell Street at 3pm.
Among some of the demands from protesters is a cap on green and white diesel and for the carbon tax to be cut.
Speaking to The Journal, one protester said they would not leave until they hear from Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien or Minister for Finance Simon Harris.
The agricultural contractor told The Journal that fuel has gone up 50% for him and that it is “impossible” to keep his tractor filled.
“It doesn’t make any sense to keep going,” he said.
The convoys have been organised by local activists who are protesting the price of diesel, petrol and home heating oil caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East.
The grassroots protests are not officially backed by the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) but do have the support of Sinn Féin, Independent Ireland and Aontú.
TDs from the three parties have been speaking to protesters in different parts of the country today.
Speaking at the protest in Dublin, Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy, Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín and Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins all called for urgent action from the Government, including for the carbon tax on petrol and diesel to be cut.
Carthy accused the Government of “sitting on their hands” and said next month’s planned carbon tax increase cannot go ahead.
Tóibín said the people at today’s protest are “living hand to mouth”.
“These ministers that are making decisions for you, they have six figures coming in every year, come what may, they don’t know what it’s like to live hand to mouth,” he said.
This was met with a shout of “greedy bastards” from one woman at the protest.
Elsewhere, some councillors from government parties have also been backing today’s protest.
In Galway, Fine Gael councillors Andrew Reddington and Peter Keaveney were outspoken in their support.
“We were out today to support the farmers, hauliers and contractors,” Reddington told The Journal.
He said he “absolutely” supports the protesters’ demands to cap the price of green and white diesel and to cut the carbon tax.
“They’re saying that [fuel] is double the price and they can’t sustain it,” Reddington said, adding that he has been told by a lot of those protesting today that they are locked into contracts and are losing money at the moment.
“We depend on all of these people. We live in rural areas and they are suffering at the moment.”
As a member of Fine Gael, Reddington said he is relaying the message to party TDs and senators.
Asked if he believes the Government will take action, Reddington said he was not sure but that he would continue to engage with his party’s representatives to push for it.
Traffic Alert – County Westmeath
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) April 7, 2026
A slow-moving convoy is currently impacting traffic on the M6 Junction 7 (Moate), County Westmeath.
Motorists are advised to plan their journeys accordingly. pic.twitter.com/XiqpX3VYls
Dublin Airport said passengers travelling for flights today should allow extra time for their journey.
Shannon Airport also advised passengers to allow extra time when travelling due to the protest across the local and national road network, including the M18 and N18.
A number of assembly points were set to disrupt the M1, N2, N3, N4, N7 and N11, affecting counties Louth, Meath, Kildare, Wicklow and Dublin.
Tuesday morning April 7th Fuel Protest underway ….. Tullamore bypass in county Offaly….after the failure of Government to enter into dialogue with them the hauliers and contractors have the right to stage a peaceful protest and are exercising that right all over the country… pic.twitter.com/TJ8mTsdP12
— Ciaran Mullooly MEP (@ciaranmullooly) April 7, 2026
Earlier today, Independent Ireland MEP Ciarán Mullooly shared footage of what appeared to be a convoy at the Tullamore bypass in Co Offaly, saying that hauliers and contractors were exercising their right to peacefully protest after “the failure of Government to enter into dialogue with them”.
Ger Hyland, president of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), told Newstalk radio the organisation is not involved in the protest.
When pressed, Hyland refused to say whether he supports the protest. “While our association is at the table trying to negotiate a deal with the government, I am not going to give an answer,” he said.
Hyland said he “empathised” with demonstrators, adding members of his organisation were “probably” involved and that “it’s up to every individual haulier himself to do as he sees fit for his company”.
A spokesperson for the Department of Transport said that ministers Darragh O’Brien and Séan Canney met with the IRHA on Friday “to listen to their concerns and proposals”.
“Further work is being undertaken jointly between the IRHA and Department of Transport. A meeting of European transport ministers will take place during the week and further engagement with the IRHA is planned,” the spokesperson said.
“The Department and Ministers remain in regular contact with the IRHA.”
With reporting from Eimer McAuley, Jane Moore and Jane Matthews
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