On April 7th, at around 11 am, hundreds of farmers gathered on O’Connell Street in Dublin City Centre to protest the recent hike in fuel prices. This represents one of the several protests taking place across the country.
The demonstration was organised through a Facebook group, and saw vehicles including HGVs, tractors, and other agricultural and plant vehicles that had driven in from across the country.
The Facebook Page, The People of Ireland Against Fuel Prices, are a leader in the protest. In a statement on Facebook yesterday, they said: “From every corner of the country, convoys of trucks, tractors, vans, buses, cars, farmers, hauliers, fishermen, construction workers and families will begin moving across the country and toward Dublin City, with O’Connell Street becoming the main focal point for supporters, media coverage, and speakers throughout the day.” Adding, “This is not just Dublin. This is nationwide”, naming Dublin, Waterford, Galway, Sligo, Donegal, Limerick, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Tullamore, Portlaoise, Offaly, Athlone, Tipperary, and surrounding counties as participants. They finished “The people have had enough. Enough of soaring fuel costs. Enough of the cost-of-living crisis. Enough of families and businesses being pushed to the brink.” “The time is now.”
According to the facebook group, the protest is about “fuel prices”, “the carbon tax”, “heating oil”, “food on the table”, “keeping businesses alive”, and “protecting Irish families”.
In a statement last night, a Garda spokesperson said: “If the convoys materialise and congregate, it’s expected there will be significant additional traffic, including slow-moving vehicles, on the main arteries leading to Dublin and in the vicinity of large urban areas across the country from 0800hrs”.
