Gardaí said they expect “significant additional traffic” due to plans circulating on social media for convoys of HGVs, agricultural vehicles, plant machinery, and other slow‑moving vehicles to gather at various locations around the country in response to spiralling diesel, petrol and home heating‑oil prices.
The protest is understood to be organised by county‑level activist groups, with protesters expected to travel in convoy from Co Galway, Co Clare, Co Tipperary, Co Offaly and Co Limerick towards Dublin, where the most significant disruption is expected.
In a statement on Monday, Dublin Airport advised those travelling to the airport tomorrow to leave plenty of time.
“Passengers travelling to and from Dublin Airport tomorrow morning are advised to allow extra time for their journey due to the possibility of traffic disruption on roads around the airport,” a spokesperson said.
The national fuel protest is expected to form along routes including the N2, N3, N4, M7, the Red Cow interchange, Liffey Valley, the M50, Bray Northbound and Naas Northbound. Additional groups are also expected to join from Cork.
Protest group Athlone Stands Together stated online that drivers would assemble at designated points from 7am, with “the intention” that “all convoys merge and form one large convoy into Dublin.”
Because most of the organisation is taking place on social media and messaging apps, gardaí said they have had had “limited interaction” with those involved and cannot provide detailed route information.
However, in a statement they noted that “it is proposed that some of these convoys will remain in regional locations, and some will travel to Dublin to congregate in the Dublin region”.
They added that, “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.”
Stock image. Photo: Getty
News in 90 seconds – April 6
Both the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) and the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) are not organising the protest and will not be participating in it. However, both organisations said they understand the pressures facing farmers, hauliers and others affected by rising fuel and operating costs.
ICMSA president Denis Drennan said the association would not be involved, though he had “no doubt” individual farmer members would be taking part or, certainly, supporting the aims of the protest.
“Last week I pointed out that farming and primary food production in Ireland is hurtling towards breakdown,” Mr Drennan said.
“Does anybody in Government understand there are no electric tractors.
“This isn’t a matter of choice for farmers. Between the surge in fuel, energy and fertiliser, we’re fast coming up on the point where just getting up in the morning to work and produce food will be prohibitely expensive and farmers will just have to stop.”
The IRHA also said it understood and shares “the frustration felt across the sector. Hauliers and transport operators continue to face significant challenges due to increased fuel prices and rising operating costs”, it added.
“Our focus remains on constructive engagement with the Department of Transport to deliver supports for our members.”
Gardaí meanwhile have warned commuters to allow extra time for their journeys. expect delays on main routes and plan ahead for possible disruption. They will issue updates, where appropriate.
Athlone Stands Together said drivers must be respectful of the emergency services.
Below are Dublin commuter routes and city locations that could be impacted by the planned convoys:
M1 south, Dublin Airport/M50 linkDublin Port / city edge / Government buildings routeM50 NorthN2 southboundFinglas approachDublin city edgeN3 inboundBlanchardstownRed Cow areaN4 WestN4 eastLucanLiffey ValleyM7 northNaasNewlands CrossN11BrayM50 southPort Tunnel