UP TO 40 forecourts in Munster, as well as some in Connacht, have closed pumps or are running out of fuel due to shortages caused by the blockade at Foynes Port.

Protests over the government’s response to rising fuel prices have entered a third day, with the Defence Forces set to be deployed to remove vehicles blocking critical infrastructure. 

Blockades have been taking place at fuel depots in Foynes, Co Limerick, and Co Galway, and at Ireland’s only oil refinery at Whitegate in Co Cork. 

CEO of the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association Vincent Jennings told The Journal that the blockade at Foynes has caused fuel shortages in Munster and Connacht – areas served by the Foynes depots.

Jennings said forecourts generally reorder fuel when they have around three days of resources left in their tanks, but the blockades have meant that many orders went unfulfilled.

“There is a backup of one and half to two days of orders unfulfilled,” he said

“People who haven’t got fuel are now in a situation where they’re running on fumes.”

He said some forecourts have imposed buying limits of €50 to preserve fuel.

“There is panic buying,” he added.

Jennings said that the Whitegate blockade could cause shortages to the Midlands. However, he said that forecourts along the east coast, from Co Kilkenny upwards, are not experiencing shortages to the same extent yet.