LAST UPDATE | 10 Jan

FARMERS ANGRY OVER the EU’s Mercosur trade deal are holding a large-scale protest in Athlone today, as they try to muster opposition to the agreement getting ratified.

Tractors, hauliers and politicians have been taking part in a cavalcade through the Midlands town before a major rally attended by thousands of people. 

Given the convoy expected, gardaí have advised that anyone visiting Athlone and the wider region today should be aware of likely traffic delays.

The EU-Mercosur agreement, which seeks to greatly strengthen ties between the European Union and the South American trade bloc Mercosur, passed a critical stage yesterday with the approval of member state representatives at EU Council level.

Independent Ireland, the political party which called the protest, has said that ten of Ireland’s major farmer organisations will be speaking at the public meeting at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) campus.

Political parties including Sinn Féin and Aontu have turned out alongside Independent Ireland.

In Athlone this morning, signage carried by protestors includes calls for EU chief Ursula Von der Leyen to “not suck the blood out of Irish farms”, and a mock coffin saying “EU Food safety RIP”.

A small number of protesters are also carrying Irish Republic flags.

Thousands have turned out in Athlone to protest against the EU’s Mercosur trade deal.

It was approved at EU Council level yesterday, and farmers are now turning their attention towards blocking it in the European Parliament @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/bZT1CKR3WM

— Eoghan Dalton (@EoghanDalton) January 10, 2026

While some of the anger may have been taken out of the demonstrations by the Irish Government’s confirmation this week that it would not support Mercosur, farmers are now turning their attention to prevent the deal passing in the European Parliament.

Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly said that the government’s final decision to oppose proved that “people power works”, as he urged farmers to keep up the pressure.

“Nothing is done until MEPs vote in Strasbourg,” Mullooly said.

“That is why it is vital that farmers and communities show their strength this Saturday.”

🚨 Traffic Advisory – Athlone | Saturday 10 January 2026 🚨

An Garda Síochána is aware of plans for a Public Assembly and associated activity to take place in Athlone on Saturday 10th January 2026. pic.twitter.com/XWjdfJ2ksv

— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) January 9, 2026

Traffic

Traffic delays are expected around the N6, the Galway to Dublin road.

In a statement, gardaí warned that there will be “significant additional traffic, including slow moving vehicles,” in the N6 area, from Junction 12 to Junction 10 this morning and over the course of today.

Members of the public travelling in the affected areas of the N6 Athlone are asked to plan their journeys during this period to ensure to leave enough time for possible traffic disruptions.

Delays in the local area are expected according to gardaí, in particular in the environs of the TUS.

However, the protest’s organisers have said that farmers will leave the overtaking lane on the N6 open at all times.

It’s expected to be busiest in the mid morning as tractors are to allowed onto the Junction 12 N6 bypass from 10:15 am.

Protesters who are walking for the demonstration will congregate at Garrycastle at 12:30 pm and are to be on the campus by 1:30 pm for speeches from farming bodies and politicians.

The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) announced this week that it’s attending in solidarity with farmers because of “serious concerns” within the agricultural sector that the Mercosur deal could adversely impact Irish beef and livestock markets by “exposing producers to imports produced under less stringent environmental and regulatory standards”.

Polish protesters in Brussels yesterday. Alamy Alamy

Ireland was one of five countries to oppose the deal finally getting passed yesterday – France, Poland, Austria and Hungary also opposed it, while Belgium abstained. The remaining 21 EU states approved the agreement.

The agreement has been an astonishing 25 years in the making, and it’s hoped that it would help the EU export more vehicles, machinery, wines and spirits to Latin America.

Mercosur’s founding members are Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, and in return the deal would facilitate the entry into Europe of South American meat, sugar, rice, honey and soybeans.

This is what has alarmed many European farmers, including in Ireland, who fear they will be undercut by a flow of cheaper goods from agricultural giant Brazil and its neighbours.

Concerns have also been aired over the entry of South American beef reared using excessive hormones and pesticides into the Irish market.

Addressing some of this concerns yesterday, the head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland Peter Power said that farmers’ concerns were “legitimate” – but he said they had resulted in “cast iron guarantees” that controls and checks will be increased on South American meat.

“We’ve introduced increased controls in terms of spot checks on the abattoirs, etc, that export beef to the European Union,” Power told EU News Radio.