Protest related to Fuel costswhich was organized by a non-profit group, is scheduled to take place in several Irish roads tomorrow (April 7).
As posted on social media by Athlone Stands Together (AST), “caravans” of protesters will gather at 7:00 a.m. at the following locations:
- M1 Convoy: Castlebellingham services;
- N2 Convoy: Ardee – Carrickmacross Link;
- Convoy N3: Virginia service area, Clonee side;
- Convoy N4: Enfield services;
- M7 Convoy: Junction 14;
- Convoy N11: Ashfield North services.
AST encourages drivers to “please obey the directions of the protest marshals and maintain lane discipline while being mindful of emergency services.”
Near the capital, caravans will depart at various times between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM.
AST has encouraged latecomers and Dublin-based protesters to join one of the following sites:
“The aim is to merge all the convoys and form one big convoy to Dublin,” she said.
An Garda Síochána said: “It is proposed that vehicle convoys (including heavy vehicles, agricultural and plant vehicles) will assemble at various locations across the country.
“It is understood that the proposed convoys, which are likely to be slow-moving, will travel mainly along national arterial routes.
“If convoys emerge and congregate, it is expected that there will be significant additional traffic, including slow-moving vehicles, on major arteries into Dublin and near large urban areas across the country from 0800 hours.”
Transport Association “not participating”
The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has made it clear that it is not involved in the fuel protest.
In a statement, the IRHA said it was “aware of a planned protest on our roads this Tuesday over rising fuel costs and the pressures facing drivers, agricultural contractors and others in the transport industry”.
The association would like to clarify that, at this time, we are not involved in organizing this protest and will not participate in it.
Erha continued: “We fully understand, empathize and share the frustration felt across the sector. Transport companies and transport operators continue to face significant challenges due to high fuel prices and high operating costs.
“However, IRHA would like to make clear that, at this time, we are not and will not be involved in organizing this protest.
“Our focus remains on constructive engagement with the Department of Transport to provide support to our members.”
Department of Transport
The IRHA said it had a “very interesting meeting with Minister (Drag) O’Brien last Friday (April 3).
“We will meet him again soon with officials from the (Transport) Ministry.
“We are keeping the lines of communication open and working to provide further support to our members to mitigate rising fuel prices.
“The Minister has committed to considering potential options that may need to be deployed.”
IRHA said it is “actively engaged in ongoing discussions with the government to secure practical and sustainable support for the transport sector”.
“We believe that dialogue – not disruption – is the most effective way to deliver real solutions to our members and the broader industry at this time.
“We will continue to represent the interests of our members and work to provide additional support that addresses cost pressures while maintaining the smooth operation of essential supply chains.”
