Fuel protests child article April 10th

Fuel protesters claim they have secured meeting

Fuel price protesters say they have secured a meeting with Government Ministers, according to an organiser of the demonstrations who pledged to continue disruptions for a fourth day on Friday.

One of the protest organisers, James Geoghegan, claimed negotiators will join a meeting at Government Buildings on Friday afternoon, alongside the Irish Road Haulage Association and the Irish Farmers’ Association.

It comes as forecourts across the country are running low on fuel as protesters continued blockades on Thursday.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Prime Time on Thursday night, Geoghegan described the meeting as a “breakthrough”, though added that disruptions will continue on Friday regardless.

Dubin Bus warns of severe service disruption

Dubin Bus has warned customers on Friday morning that due to the ongoing fuel price protests it is “experiencing ongoing severe service disruptions and delays” which has resulted in a number of services being cancelled or diverted. A full list is available on the Dublin Bus website.

Taoiseach open to further measures to ease fuel prices

The Taoiseach has said further measures to ease fuel prices, including the broadening of existing measures, could be possible through negotiations.

This is thought to include further relief on green diesel and a possible extension of the diesel rebate scheme. However, it is thought unlikely that any price caps will be on the table.

It is understood some backchannels have been opened to the protesters through Government TDs, which could facilitate exchanges, though Government is anxious not to undercut established organisations.

“We are open to mechanisms,” the Taoiseach said on Thursday night. “But the strikes will have to end first.”

Fuel protesters explain the pressures they are facing

North and south quays in Dublin are open

The north and south quays in Dublin are open for traffic as normal today but O’Connell St bridge remains closed for traffic.

Luas Green line services disrupted

Due to the fuel protest in Dublin city centre Luas Green Line services are currently not operating between St Stephen’s Green and Dominick St. Services are operating between Broombridge and Dominick St and between St Stephen’s Green and Brides Glen only.

IRHA to act as ‘honest broker’ between protesters and Government

Ger Hyland, president of the Irish Road Haulage Association, said he had been asked to act as an “honest broker” on the issue ahead of a planned stakeholders meeting on Friday.

Speaking on Friday morning, Hyland said he had spoken to “intermediaries” for the protesters but had yet to meet the protesters themselves.

Two people from the IRHA are due to attend a meeting with the Government, along with other stakeholders, on Friday afternoon, Hyland said.

In advance of that meeting, the IRHA had made itself available to talk to the protesters “and bring their concerns into Government”.

He said this was dependent on the protesters being “happy that we will bring them concerns with us. If they’re not, well then there is nothing more we can do for this,” Hyland told RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland.

Protests impact M50, M1, M7, M8 and M18

Fuel protests on a range of national routes this morning are causing disruption for motorists.

In Dublin, the M50 northbound is blocked at Junction 6, which will impact traffic heading to Dublin Airport.

The M1 southbound is blocked at Junction 3 (where it meets the M50) and also at Junction 18^th, which is the Carlingford exit.

The M7 remains closed at Portlaoise in both directions, while the M8 northbound from Cashel to Cahir is also blocked by protests.

In Limerick the M7 is blocked at Annacotty in both directions and the traffic delays are backing up to the Limerick tunnel.

The M18 IN Co Clare is blocked at Dromoland.

Number of forecourts without fuel to get ‘much, much worse’ on Friday as protest continues

Fuel supplies at more Irish forecourts are under threat of running dry as a days-long blockade of major supply depots continues.

Hauliers and agricultural contractors began a series of protests on Tuesday, which have grown from slow-moving convoys on motorways and restricted access to Dublin’s busiest streets, to blockades of fuel depots that supply half the country.

They want the Government to commit to further action on fuel costs.

A spokesman for the protesters said some participants may attend a meeting with Government on Friday that was originally scheduled for national representative bodies, with a coalition spokesman saying who the official groups bring is a matter for them.

Their widespread action enters a fourth day on Friday with demonstrators facing a reaction from the Garda, which said it was entering an “enforcement” phase of its response – accompanied by support from the military.

Social media footage late on Thursday showed gardaí warning protesters they could be arrested if they did not peacefully disperse from an area near Rosslare Europort in Co Wexford.

The Government’s intolerance of the action escalated on Thursday, with Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan and Defence Minister Helen McEntee stating that the Defence Forces “remain on standby” to assist the police in clearing heavy vehicles from the blockades.

Protesters have restricted access to a major oil refinery in Whitegate, Co Cork, as well as fuel depots in Galway City and Foynes, Co Limerick.

It has raised concern over panic buying at forecourts, some of which have run out of fuel, as well as impacts on emergency services and deliveries of key supplies for animal welfare on farms.

A leading industry representative warned that the number of forecourts running dry would get “much, much worse” from Thursday evening’s position of affected service stations being in the “low double digits”.

Fuels For Ireland chief executive Kevin McPartland said “panic buying has absolutely taken hold” and warned that “real significant life-death problems are going to be caused” with fuel supplies to emergency service vehicles under threat.

Ireland’s emergency planning group echoed the comments with “serious concern”, saying there may be an impacts on availability for some vital services, supply chains and public transport.

The National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) said Ireland’s overall fuel supplies remain “robust and resilient” but said the obstruction of key routes from ports is threatening the provision of animal feed supplies, fertiliser and other vital materials, resulting in potential animal welfare issues and a threat to livelihoods in the agriculture sector.

Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE) said the disruption is causing people to miss medical appointments and is impacting the provision of home care and critical care, such as dialysis and cancer treatment.

The HSE also warned that the blockades could disrupt the time-sensitive delivery of key medicines and medical devices. - PA

As the protest action enters a fourth day, tensions are beginning to rise, particularly in relation to access to health services for vulnerable patients.

Prof John Crown, oncologist, had this to say on X, formerly Twitter.

Protesters close to Rosslare Europort served with section 8 of the Public Order Act by gardaí

Protesters close to Rosslare Europort were served with a section 8 of the Public Order Act by gardaí last night, Sarah Slater reports.

Gardaí in the village of Kilrane over a loudspeaker issued a warning to protesters that they that had to leave the area and failure to do so “in a peaceful and orderly manner” would “possibly” lead to them being arrested and, if convicted, liable to a €1,000 fine or a six-month-prison sentence.

A garda added: “I would just urge you all to please peacefully remove yourselves from the area.”

Many of the protesters retorted by saying: “The people of Ireland say No.” The incident was recorded by scores of those gathered.

Local Aontú councillor Jim Codd said “there were extraordinary scenes” in Rosslare. “The Government has it in their power to stop this now,” Codd added.

An Army truck has also been reported to be at the location.

Meanwhile in Co Kilkenny, numerous filling stations have reported they have no fuel left following a surge in motorists panic buying.

Service stations locations include Thomastown, Goresbridge, Slieverue and Kilkenny city.

Sections of the M9 northbound also remained blocked on Friday morning.

Demands of protesters to be ‘interrogated’ on Friday, Social Protection Minister says

Caroline O’Doherty reports:

Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary has said An Garda Síochána will decide whether to call in the Army to remove blockades after an announcement by Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan that the Defence Forces would be deployed overnight.

“The gardaí will make operational decisions as to whether the army will get involved,” Calleary said as most of the blockades remained in place this morning.

The Minister confirmed a meeting with recognised organisations for groups with fuel price concerns would take place this afternoon and that it was up to those organisations whether to bring protesters to the talks.

The main organisations – the IFA, Irish Road Haulage Association and Farm Contractors Ireland – that have been invited to the meeting are not officially behind the protests.

“We’re not dictating who can come to that meeting from the organisations so certainly if protesters come representing the farm organisations, we’re not dictating that they can’t come” he told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland.

Calleary said measures suggested by protesters, such as a cap on fuel prices and further tax cuts, would be “interrogated” but he stressed the Government had already provided €250 million worth of supports.

‘It’s blackmailing society’: Readers explain how they feel about protesters

Reporter Jack White has a powerful read this morning about the impact the protests are having on some people around the country:

As her mother began to receive end-of-life care, Claire McIver left Dublin at 7.30am on Wednesday morning to ensure she could say goodbye.

The journey to Tipperary University Hospital in Clonmel should have taken two hours but instead took five, she says.

She encountered traffic at a standstill on the M7 as a result of a blockade, all the while experiencing “anguish” at the thought of not being able to say goodbye to her 93-year-old mother, Tess.

“I shouted at them: ‘Do you know the havoc you’re causing?’ and they laughed at me,” she says, recalling the blockade near Portlaoise.

Read his full report here

Protesters add new conditions to ending blockades

Caroline O’Doherty reports:

Protesters have added new demands to the conditions under which they say they will end their blockades.

They now want the Dáil recalled immediately and want the ban on oil exploration off the Irish coast rescinded.

That is in addition to removal of the carbon tax from fuel products and price caps on agricultural diesel, auto diesel and home heating kerosene.

James Geoghegan, one of the organisers of the protests, told Newstalk the new demands came from discussions with protesting groups around the country.

But confusion remains over whether he will be at a meeting scheduled for this afternoon between the Minister for Agriculture and the Irish Farmers Association, Irish Road Haulage Association and Farm Contractors Ireland.

Geoghegan, who is not a representative of those groups, said he and three other protest organisers had been invited to the meeting by Fianna Fáil TD John Connolly.

He said his local TD, Fianna Fáil’s Robert Troy, had also been involved in brokering the protesters’ attendance.

The Government is maintaining, however, that no formal invitation has been issued to protesters and that it is up to the recognised representative bodies whether to take them along to the talks.

Originally, protesters said they would call off their action if talks took place.

Geoghegan said things had changed since then due to a lack of trust in the Government but he added: “We have reduced the protest, we are allowing out more fuel out today, we have lifted some of the blockades off the ports.”

Confusion abounds over whether protesters invited to Friday meeting

Ellen Coyne, Political Correspondent, writes:

Friday morning began with confusion over whether the protesters had indeed secured a meeting with the Government.

It followed a claim made on RTÉ’s Prime Time on Thursday night by spokesman James Geoghegan.

The Irish Times understands that the confusion arose after demonstrators in Galway spoke with local Government TDs, who were trying to act as intermediaries between the Government and some local protesters who were known to the politicians.

It is understood that at some point during these discussions, it was suggested the protesters might be able to join a round-table discussion between the Government and representative groups from the farming and haulage sector. This round-table meeting had been planned separately to the protests this week.

But the Government insists it was only ever suggested the protesters would attend the meeting as part of a delegation for an existing representative group, such as the Irish Road Haulage Association. It maintains the protesters were not invited to the meeting by Government.

Two members of the IRHA are due to attend the meeting with Government today, along with nine other farming and haulage representative groups. The IRHA has said it will meet with protesters today, but the haulage group believed “it’s up to Government who goes to a Government meeting”. One Government source said Ministers would be agreeable to a protester attending if they came with a representative group such as the IRHA. At this point, there has been no invitation extended to the protesters themselves.

The protesters had consistently said the blockades would end as soon as a meeting with Government was secured. On Thursday night, spokesman for the protesters Chris Duffy walked that promise back in a speech to demonstrators on O’Connell Street.

“We said when we’d get a meeting, we’d go home. Well, we’re not,” Duffy said. “We’ll go home when we see what we get at the meeting.”

Fuel protesters not leaving ‘until we get what we want’

Fuel protesters have rowed back on their pledge to end their blockades after they get a meeting with Government, now stating they won’t leave “until we get what we want”.

In a speech to protesters on O’Connell Street on Thursday night, contractor Chris Duffy, a spokesman for the group, said the organisation “said when we’d get a meeting, we’d go home. Well, we’re not”.

“We’ll go home when we see what we get at the meeting. There’s not a f****ng idle truck moving in this country until we get what we want,” he said.

Government is due to meet official representative groups this afternoon in relation to fuel supports.

Members of Government have maintained they have not invited members of the protest directly but the protesters could attend the meeting as part of a delegation for an existing representative group, such as the Irish Road Haulage Association.

Fuel industry body welcomes report that finds price increases have not breached any law

The representative body for the fuel industry has welcomed a report by the consumer watchdog that found the price increases in the home-heating oil and road fuel markets in recent weeks have not been “in breach of any law”.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) on Thursday published a report following significant price increases and calls from Government representatives to the public to notify it of high fuel prices and price gouging.

“This is in the context of conflict in the Middle East and the resultant impacts on international commodity markets,” the watchdog said in a statement.

It said price hikes were driven by significant increases in international wholesale costs rather than competition issues.

Kevin McPartland, chief executive of Fuels for Ireland, said the watchdog’s conclusions “are clear”.

“It has found no evidence of any breach of competition or consumer protection law in how fuel prices have been set in Ireland, directly addressing concerns around price gouging or anti-competitive behaviour,” McPartland said.

“The report also confirms that the recent increases in fuel prices were driven by significant rises in international wholesale costs, rather than decisions taken by companies operating in Ireland.”

McPartland said the report “makes clear” that prices at Irish forecourts rose by less than other global markets.

“Ireland is part of a global fuels market – we are a price taker, not a price setter,” he said.

“We recognise the very real pressure this has placed on households and businesses. As acknowledged by the CCPC, there is a level of distress and concern among consumers, and we absolutely recognise that.”

He added: “The cause of high prices is global market conditions, which are outside of the control of Irish fuel retailers.”

Non-urgent healthcare activity in Cork and Kerry may be deferred

Non-urgent healthcare activity in the southwest of the country “may be deferred” in light of the disruption caused by protesters.

In a statement, HSE South West, which covers Cork and Kerry, said it is “actively managing the emerging fuel supply issue” in the region, which has “the potential to impact” service delivery.

“As a precaution, local contingency plans have been activated, and senior management teams are maintaining close operational oversight to ensure the continued safety of patients and staff,” the statement said.

“Critical services, including emergency care, urgent patient transport and time‑sensitive treatments (eg, dialysis, oncology, complex paediatric cases, bowel care, urgent care, etc) will be prioritised.”

Services in the region were directed to “review staffing, transport, supplies, and discharge arrangements to minimise disruption, and non‑urgent activity may be deferred where necessary".

“HSE South West is working closely with national colleagues and relevant agencies to monitor the situation,” it said.

“HSE South West advises the public attending appointments to contact the service directly if they are concerned about being late or missing their appointment.”

‘Grass growing down the middle of the M50′: Protesters say they’re not moving until demands met

Caroline O’Doherty reports:

One of the organisers of the fuel protests has said there could be “grass growing down the middle of the M50” if protesters’ demands were not met.

Christopher Duffy, an agricultural contractor from Co Meath, said protesters had only agreed to end their blockades if they got a dedicated meeting with the Government.

A meeting due to take place this afternoon that protester representatives are allowed to attend, along with the Irish Farmers’ Association, Farm Contractors Ireland and Irish Road Haulage Association, was not the kind of engagement requested, he said.

In a social media post, he said they had decided to go along with the meeting but the blockades would remain in place pending the outcome.

“Talks are better than no talks but without results, I’m afraid I will be looking at Nelson’s Pillar for a long time,” he said, referring to O’Connell Street where the protesters have congregated and the site on the street where the sculpture used to stand.

“There could be grass growing down the middle of the M50 yet because there will be nothing moving on it.”

Nursing home body to meet Minister to discuss impact of fuel prices on workers

The representative body for nursing homes is calling on the Government to implement “immediate measures” to support essential workers, particularly in more rural areas.

Tadhg Daly, chief executive of Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI), said the organisation has been invited to meet Minister for Older People Kieran O’Donnell next Wednesday to discuss the issues facing the sector in light of the fuel price rises.

“NHI is now calling on the Government to implement more immediate measures to support all essential workers access to fuel, especially in areas of the country where public transport is limited and fuel shortages are most acute,” the statement said.

“As the current energy and fuel crisis continues, it is vital to ensure the inclusion of all nursing homes (public, private, and voluntary) in the development of the emergency plans and additional energy supports currently being developed by Government and the Office of Emergency Planning.”

Doctors call for immediate end to blockades due to ‘detrimental’ impact on patients

Ireland’s largest doctors’ union has called for an “immediate end” to fuel blockades, warning slower response times and missed apppointments will have a “hugely detrimental” impact on patient welfare.

Speaking at the annual meeting of the Irish Medical Organisation in Killarney on Friday, Prof Matthew Sadlier, president of the union, said it was unacceptable that the disproportionate actions of a minority are having such a significant negative impact on patients.

“There should always be room for peaceful protest in this country, but not at the expense of patient welfare due to the deliberate targeting of critical infrastructure,” he said.

“These blockades mean our emergency services are not currently able to respond as quickly as they ordinarily do, meaning patients will be delayed receiving urgent and, in many cases, life-saving treatment. This cannot continue.”

He added that the knock-on impact on scheduled appointments would create added pressure on the healthcare system, which is already struggling.

“The ability of both patients and healthcare staff to actually get to healthcare appointments has been severely compromised by the blockades.”

Large Garda presence at Whitegate in Cork

Caroline O’Doherty reports:

A large convoy of Garda cars, vans and public order units has arrived at Whitegate in Cork where fuel protesters have been blocking deliveries leaving the oil refinery.

More than 20 Garda vehicles have taken up position on the access road to the refinery which protesters have been using to come and go to the site.

About a third of the country’s petrol, diesel and home-heating oil is produced at the refinery and supplies have been prevented from leaving, with some forecourts and distributors running out.

Protest organisers said this morning they had eased the blockade out of concerns for householders and emergency services and were letting some delivery trucks leave.

But the heavy Garda presence suggests an attempt will be made to achieve a full reopening of the supply route today.

Coach and bus operators to meet with Government

The Coach Tourism and Transport Council of Ireland (CTTC) has confirmed it will attend this afternoon’s meeting at Government Buildings in relation to the concerns around fuel prices.

David Conway, chairman of the organisation, said bus and coach operators are “facing mounting cost pressures, compounded by service disruptions and rising fuel costs”.

“The CTTC reiterates that it is not involved in the fuel protest and hopes to see it concluded swiftly to alleviate these pressures and to keep Ireland moving,” Conway said.

He welcomed the opportunity to engage with Government ministers on Friday and next week.

“During these meetings, the CTTC will bring forward practical solutions to support commercial bus and coach operators during this period of sustained cost pressure,” he said.

“Our focus remains on engaging constructively with the Government to secure practical supports for our members during this period of exceptional cost inflation.”

‘We’ll close the country down’: Protesters say they will continue for a month if necessary

Emergency services could be curtailed due to fuel supply issues, Darragh O’Brien says

Political Correspondent Cormac McQuinn reports:

Emergency services could be curtailed because of fuel supply issues, Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien warned as he called for an end to the protests and blockades.

O’Brien also told Newstalk Radio that the Government has been working on an additional fuel support package and that industry representative groups are to be briefed on this at a meeting with Ministers later today.

However, he said: “Blockades need to end and they need to end now and the concerns that many of the protesters have are the same concerns that have been raised through representative bodies like the IRHA [Irish Road Haulage Association], like the IFA [Irish Farmers’ Association] and indeed others.”

On whether protesters could join today’s meeting he said: “I’m not going to dictate who is in each delegation”.

He declined to offer details of the new fuel support package in advance of the meeting.

O’Brien also said: “The situation is now absolutely critical. I just got a message earlier on this morning that our fire and emergency services, that their services will be curtailed because of fuel.”

He said the blockaded Whitegate facility in Cork is the only refinery in the country and while Ireland has no fuel supply issue, the protests mean it cannot be dispersed.

O’Brien added: “We do not want to have to deal with the situation in a heavy-handed way and I don’t think that will happen. What we need to do is to deescalate this now, today.”

Dublin City Centre restaurants concerned about ‘viability’ amid footfall dropoff

The Restaurants Association of Ireland has said it is concerned about “business viability” due to the reduction in footfall as a result of the protests since Tuesday.

Adrian Cummins, chief executive of the organisation, said there had been an “impact” on businesses, particularly around O’Connell street in Dublin.

“We’ve seen a drop off in footfall. It’s good to see the quays being opened up and traffic going up and down but we’re concerned in terms of the ongoing protest in terms of our business viability,” he said.

“We’re looking for a resolution to this and hopefully the talks today will bring around a resolution.”

Cummins said for city-centre businesses, deliveries are a “big issue”.

“We’re trying to get food produce into our businesses for our customers. There’s also a knock on effect in terms of tourism for Ireland, with tourists coming into the country and they’re concerned about how they get around the country,” he said, before calling for a “resolution”.

Trade mission to Canada cancelled

Political Editor Pat Leahy reports:

The Taoiseach and several Ministers have cancelled a trade mission to Canada next week, it is understood.

Micheál Martin had been due to travel to Canada with several Ministers for meetings with prime minister Mark Carney and a number of trade-related engagements next week.

However, as fuel protests continue around the country, Government Buildings has informed Ministers the trip will not go ahead.

A spokeswoman for the Government said that it is hoped the trade missions and associated meetings in Canada can be rescheduled for later in the year.

Latest on road closures and delays

Fuel protests on a range of national routes are causing disruption for motorists in counties Clare, Limerick, Tipperary, Laois, Westmeath, Offaly, Kildare, Galway, Cork and Dublin.

In Dublin, the M50 is closed at junction 3/the interchange with the M1, which will impact traffic heading to Dublin Airport.

The M50 northbound is blocked between junctions 6 and 5.

The M1 is blocked southbound at junction 18, which is the Carlingford exit.

The M7 remains closed at Portlaoise in both directions, while the M8 northbound from Cashel to Cahir is also blocked by protests.

In Limerick the M7 is blocked at Annacotty in both directions and the M18/N18 is closed southbound at junction 2.

In Co Westmeath, the M6/N6 is blocked at junction 8 near Athlone, while the M4/N4 is closed at junction 14 near Mullingar.

In Co Kilkenny, the M9 is blocked northbound at junction 9.

The M18 in Co Clare is closed at Dromoland.

DPD suspends service on Saturday

Courier and parcel delivery service DPD Ireland has “temporarily suspended” its service in the Republic of Ireland on Saturday due to the ongoing protests.

In a social media post, the company said it was a “difficult decision”.

“We understand this may cause inconvenience and sincerely appreciate your patience and understanding during this time,” the post said.

“Our team is working hard to resume normal service as quickly as possible.”

Ireland ‘close to widespread no-fuel conditions at forecourts’, industry body says

Up to 500 forecourts could be out of fuel by Friday night if blockades continue, the representative body for the fuels industry has said.

Kevin McPartlan, chief executive of Fuels for Ireland, said even if the protests ended on Friday, the “consequences would not end today”.

“It would still take the best part of three to five working days before forecourts were operating close to normal again, and in some cases recovery could take longer,” he said.

“Once a disruption of this scale takes hold, there is no instant reset. Stocks have to be rebuilt, deliveries rescheduled and normal distribution patterns restored across the network.”

He added: “If current conditions continue, there could be up to 500 forecourts out of fuel by tonight.”

McPartlan said there is a “national fuel distribution issue” and is “no longer confined to one area”.

“The longer this continues, the greater the risk to motorists, businesses and essential services right across the country,” he added.

“Fuels for Ireland wants to make clear this is not an actual shortage of fuel in the Irish market. The immediate problem is a serious supply disruption. Fuel is there, but it is not moving normally through the system because key infrastructure and distribution routes have been blocked.”

McPartlan added the country is now “close to widespread no-fuel conditions at forecourts, not because the country has run out of fuel, but because the supply chain is being prevented from operating as it should”.

Cork protesters hope for deal following Government meeting

Barry Roche reports from Cork:

Fuel protestors outside Ireland’s only oil refinery say that they are hoping that negotiations between the government and organisations representing hauliers, contractors and farmers can agree a deal that will lead to a reduction in diesel and other fuel prices.

Around 150 protestors are gathered and are maintaining a blockade with trucks and tractors on the road leading to the Irving oil refinery at the end of Whitegate village in East Cork .

Gardai have cordoned off the village, and according to the protestors, have stopped other truckers and farmers from joining them. These other protestors have begun a rolling protest between Saleen and Midleton on the approach road to Whitegate.

Several dozen gardaí are also maintaining a presence at the protest and it is understood that senior officers have deployed uniform members from Kerry and Limerick divisions as well as Cork county division.

Gardaí are speaking to the protesters and their protest remains peaceful – with protesters saying they are unsure as to what is happening nationally.

Haulier Anthony Kelleher from Millstreet ,said it was their understanding that the representative organisations, including the Irish Road Haulage Association , and the Irish Farmers Association, were due to meet cabinet ministers at 2pm.

Asked if he had faith that the representative organisations would secure a deal that would satisfy their demands, Kelleher said. “ I hope they can agree a deal that will satisfy everyone”

Fellow protestor, Mark Troy, an agricultural contractor from Bandon, said that no oil delivery trucks had attempted to access the Irving oil refinery since early Thursday morning and none had approached the blockade today.

However, he said, they had agreed with fellow protest organisers in Dublin to allow one tanker in to collect kerosene heating oil and one tanker in to collect white diesel for emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire brigades and garda cars.

However no such tankers have approached the blockade so far today.

Protesters have allowed in a truck bringing in food for the Irving oil refinery canteen and a tanker carrying liquid nitrogen used in the refining process.