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Live BlogLAST UPDATE | 1 hr ago
SLOW-MOVING CONVOYS of tractors and lorries continue to cause significant disruption across the road network as part of protests against rising fuel costs.
The protests affected several cities, with trucks and tractors gathering in Dublin city centre earlier after taking off from sites around the country.
Protesters gathered on O’Connell Street for speeches from several opposition politicians this afternoon.
We’re wrapping up our coverage of today’s fuel price protests in Dublin and across the country. Thanks for following along with us.
For ongoing updates on road closures and travel disruptions, please check with local authorities and gardaí.
Correspondent Eimer McAuley attended the protests on O’Connoll Street earlier today:
On O’Connell Street this afternoon, TDs from Aontú, Independent Ireland and Sinn Féin lined up to speak to hauliers, farmers and contractors, about the Government’s response to rising fuel prices, and they all called for the Government to scrap carbon tax.
“The Government in this country is tax gouging these people when it comes to fuel,” Padaer Toibin of Aontu said, before saying that the Government should “scrap carbon tax straight away”.
Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice said that he “worries about democracy” and that if the Government had the backs of people in the haulage and farming sector “the carbon tax would be eliminated this minute”.
Matt Carthy of Sinn Féin that an upcoming increase in carbon tax needs to be “discounted”.
It’s highly unlikely that the Government is going to bend on these demands around carbon tax – which is a key part of the country’s plan to meet emissions reduction targets – but the calls today will increase pressure for measures to be brought forward well in advance of when the Dail is next due to sit.
There was a palpable air of frustration and anger on O’Connell street today as the horns from trucks sounded off nearby on the quays.
“Simon you’re the gouger” one sign stuck to a tractor said.
Today’s meeting – organiser James Geoghan said – was organised mainly via TikTok, and Gardaí were only contacted about permission yesterday.
Many of those protesting today spoke of plans for further protests – into next week if needs be. One group even had a portable electric stove with them for making pots of tea. So, we could be in it for the long haul.
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Jack Chambers said that Government “has to be very careful and measured in any interventions that we make” in relation to rising fuel prices caused by the war in Iran.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Drivetime, Chambers highlighted the €250 million package already introduced, including excise duty reductions on petrol, diesel, and green diesel, and extended fuel allowances.
“We are engaging with well-established channels, whether it’s the Road Haulage Association or with farmers and other stakeholders,” Chambers said.
Addressing the protests directly, he said that while some participants are grassroots, the Government must balance this with global economic realities.
“We need to be honest about the severe and significant volatility in the global economy… and take a responsible approach in any further interventions,” Chambers said.
The HSE has said that, as of this evening, they have received no reports of ambulances being blocked or delayed due to today’s protests.
“There are currently no reports of ambulances being blocked or unable to attend calls,” a HSE spokesperson said.
“The National Ambulance Service’s National Emergency Operations Centre is working closely with An Garda Síochána (AGS) and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to mitigate and address any potential issues.
“Crews responding to incidents are being managed with the support and guidance of AGS and TII,” the spokesperson added.
People Before Profit says today’s Dublin protests are a response to “Government inaction” on soaring energy costs.
“People are paying soaring prices for fuel and energy, adding enormously to the cost-of-living pressures they were already facing,” councillor Conor Reddy said.
“The Government has left the Dáil in recess as the crisis escalates, so it’s no surprise that there are protests on the streets to demand meaningful Government action.”
“This is a government that rushes to meet every demand from corporate landlords, but is oblivious to the cost of living pressures ordinary people are facing.”
Richard Guiney, CEO of Dublin Town, has warned that ongoing road protests are hitting businesses in Dublin city centre.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Drivetime, he said footfall is down around 15% due to disruptions, adding that “inflicting pain on others is probably not the best way to gain support.”
“Those kinds of reductions are things that businesses just can’t absorb on a long-term basis,” Guiney said.
“There’s better ways to get the point across.”
Dublin Bus has said that a “huge amount” of disruption to services is continuing throughout Dublin.
Blake Boland, a spokesperson for Dublin Bus, told RTÉ Radio’s Drivetime that operators are doing “everything we can on the ground”.
There will likely be knock-on impacts for a number of hours across a number of Dublin Bus services, Boland said, with O’Connell street causing the biggest impact.
“It’s creating disruption that’s going to last for some time, unfortunately,” Boland said.
#DBSvcUpdates We wish to advise customers that due to congestion on Bachelor's Walk , Routes 23 and 24 will not serve the Quays and D'Olier Street. Services will proceed back on duty at Dame St until further notice. Please see link: https://t.co/C9wjVFG986 @TFIupdates pic.twitter.com/NIdEuHZk6q
— dublinbusnews (@dublinbusnews) April 7, 2026
⚠️Traffic Disruption⚠️
— LiveDrive (@LiveDrive) April 7, 2026
There is currently very heavy traffic on...
O'Connell Street
North Quays
Red Cow Roundabout
Naas Road
M50 Northbound approaching J7 Lucan
Ocean FM presenter Niall Delaney has shared a video of traffic backed up in Sligo town earlier today.
The ongoing fuel protest convoy in Sligo Town - a bird's eye view @OceanFmIreland #sligo #leitrim #donegal pic.twitter.com/AENBpw6xBD
— Niall Delaney (@OceanNWT) April 7, 2026
Here’s the latest on how public transport has been impacted across the country this evening.
Dublin Bus
Dublin Bus diversions are in place as O’Connell Street remains closed.
Southbound services are being rerouted via Cathal Brugha Street, turning onto Marlborough Street and crossing the Rosie Hackett Bridge before rejoining their usual routes.
Northbound buses are diverting via Beresford Place and Gardiner Street before returning to normal.
Bus Éireann
Bus Éireann has said that there are “considerable delays nationwide” to their services as a result of the protests, including the cancellation of two earlier bus services from Galway to Cork.
The full list of impacted routes can be found here.
Luas/train services
Luas and train services are operating as normal, with scheduled Luas times not impacted by the closure of O’Connell Street.
Congestion Report:
— TII Traffic (@TIITraffic) April 7, 2026
M50 Northbound: J09 - J07.
Delays on routes around Dublin: N4 (E).
Additionally, the network is experiencing slowdowns on the M7 and M8 due to full road closures. Diversons are in place. Expect delays.
Drive with care! #TII #Slowdown pic.twitter.com/hSHE3XjynF
Bus Éireann has said that there are “considerable delays nationwide” to their services as a result of the protests.
The full list of impacted routes can be found here
Aontú leader Peader Tóibín has also spoken at the protest on O’Connell Street, saying the people protesting nationwide “are keeping the economy going”.
“I think it’s an incredible situation, that we have politicians saying that the people are being discommoded today,” Tóibín said.
“Well I can tell you something, if discommoding people was illegal, half the Dáil would be in jail at the moment.”
Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins is also out on O’Connell Street, where he told The Journal that hauliers “are in a desperate situation”.
“Their businesses are almost folding, they’re squeezed to the limit,” Collins said.
He added that the Government “didn’t do enough” in their emergency package two weeks ago.
“I told them that,” Collins said.
“I told them you cannot go and not touch green diesel and expect food to stay the same price.”
A number of protesters are still making their way into Dublin city – here’s what Dorset Street looks like this afternoon.
Sinn Féin TD Matt Carthy has called on the Government to temporarily scrap carbon tax on fuel as an “emergency measure”.
Speaking on O’Connell Street this afternoon, Carthy said that if the State does not intervene quickly on the cost of fuel “then a lot of their businesses will go to the ground, and then we’ll all suffer”.
“The first thing that the Government should do, and this shouldn’t even be debatable, they should say we’re not going to increase the carbon tax next month,” Carthy said.
“Then we need to actually remove the carbon tax as an emergency measure on those products, on home heating oil in particular, and that gives every every business in rural communities and most households a little bit of support.
“We need to remove the carbon tax on green diesel, and we need to reduce the excise duty in total, insofar as maximally legally allowable on both diesel and petrol,” Carthy added.
Gardaí have issued an update on the worst-affected areas of traffic in Dublin.
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) April 7, 2026
Here’s a look at O’Connell Street this afternoon as protests continue.
Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy, Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín and Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins are all due to speak in support of the protest shortly.
Protesters in a convoy of tractors and lorries have gathered on O’Connell Street in Dublin as part of action over the price of fuel.
— TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) April 7, 2026
One protester said that fuel has gone up 50% for him and that it is “impossible” to keep his tractor filled. https://t.co/kMsdTtf4cz pic.twitter.com/F9nX5ukU1x
Dublin Bus has said that diversions are now in place due to the closure of O’Connell Street.
All southbound services are being diverted via Cathal Brugha Street, turning left onto Marlborough Street and crossing the Rosie Hackett Bridge before rejoining their normal routes.
Northbound buses are instead being rerouted via Beresford Place and Gardiner Street before returning to their usual routes.
Passengers are advised to expect delays while these diversions remain in place.
Traffic is currently completely closed on a number of major roads in Limerick, Tipperary and Laois.
Here’s a look at some of the disruptions on Google Maps this afternoon.
Gardaí issued an update shortly before 1pm warning of ongoing disruption at a number of locations across the country.
Slow-moving convoys are causing significant delays on parts of the M7 in Laois (between Junctions 15 and 18 in Portlaoise, both directions), the M2 at Junction 3 Ashbourne in Meath, and the M6 in Westmeath at Junctions 7 Moate and 8 Athlone (both eastbound).
Delays are also being reported on the N21 in Adare, Co Limerick, and on the M11 at Junction 25 Enniscorthy southbound in Co Wexford.
Motorists are being advised to expect delays and allow extra time for their journeys.
Good afternoon. We’ll be bringing you the latest updates as protests continue to cause disruption on roads across the country this afternoon.
If you’re affected or spot anything on your route today, feel free to send in photos, videos or updates to answers@thejournal.ie and we’ll include them here.
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