Main PointsNationwide fuel price protests are set to enter a third day on Thursday Protesters continue to block O’Connell Street and O’Connell Bridge in Dublin city centre Dublin Bus spokesperson Blake Boland has warned commuters of the “massive disruption” expected again this morningThe Luas Green line is currently not operating between St Stephen’s Green and Dominick St due to protesters blocking the tracks at O’Connell BridgeOn Wednesday demonstrations closed off parts of the M50, M7, M11, N18, M8 and N28 routesTaoiseach Micheál Martin has condemned the blockade of the State’s only oil refinery as an “act of national sabotage”Best Reads
Órla Ryan – 12 minutes ago
Forecourts could run out of petrol, fuel chief warns
Fuels for Ireland CEO Kevin McPartland warned that if the blockades continue much longer then soon “scores” of forecourts around the country will run out of fuel. Photos: Joe Giddens/PA
Fuels for Ireland chief executive Kevin McPartland has said the blockade of refineries in Foynes, Galway and Whitegate – through which 50 per cent of all the fuel sold in Ireland goes through – means fuel is not getting to forecourts, Vivienne Clarke reports.
“That means 50 per cent of households in Ireland, 50 per cent of businesses in Ireland, are not going to be able to get fuel if this is allowed to continue,” he told Newstalk Breakfast with Anton Savage.
“I find it interesting that the Taoiseach talks about a national sabotage and then we don’t seem to be responding to that. To me, if you have the head of Government talking about a national sabotage, then that would demand some sort of response from the State.”
McPartland called for greater enforcement from Gardaí in relation to the protests.
He warned that if the blockades continue much longer then soon “scores” of forecourts around the country will run out of fuel. Dublin Port needed to remain accessible, he said, as it supplies Dublin Airport.
Órla Ryan – 13 minutes ago
Burgh Quay and College Street are both blocked in Dublin city centre. People have been advised to allow extra time for journeys or to avoid certain areas if possible.
Órla Ryan – 17 minutes ago
Delays on M50 and other routes
Delays have been reported on the M50, M18, M9, M8, M7/N7, M4/N4, M3/N3 and several other routes.
Congestion Report:
M50 Southbound: J04 – J06 & J12 – J13.
Delays on routes around Dublin: N3/M3 (E), N4/M4 (E), N7 (E) M1 (S).
Closures on following routes:
M7 – J16 – J18 BOTH DIRECTIONS
M7 – J29 – J30 BOTH DIRECTIONS
M8 – J9 – J8 NORTHBOUND
M8 – J18- SOUTHBOUND
M18 – J2… pic.twitter.com/wWOPUkJZRf
— TII Traffic (@TIITraffic) April 9, 2026
Órla Ryan – 21 minutes ago
‘Massive disruption’ expected in Dublin
Dublin Bus spokesperson Blake Boland has warned commuters of the “massive disruption” expected again this morning, Vivienne Clarke reports.
Speaking on RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland, Boland said Dublin Bus was creating temporary terminuses around the city which allowed buses run in as far as they could before turning around.
The protestors in the city centre were “splintering out” with two or three people blocking off certain junctions not allowing buses through, he said.
“What we’ve been doing is making diversions on those cross-city routes, but that’s not really possible at this stage, to a large extent. So, what we’re doing now is we’re creating what we might call temporary terminuses.
“We’re running buses from the outskirts of the city in as close as we can get them before they risk them being trapped by the protesters, turning those buses around and operating them back out. And that’s particularly important on those cross-city routes. So it helps us to avoid buses getting trapped in the city centre and, at least, operating as much of that route as we can.”
Boland added that Express services had been cancelled with the purpose of using those resources to “close the gaps”.
A full list of Dublin Bus cancellations and diversions can be read here.
Órla Ryan – 29 minutes ago
Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness has said the Government needs to speak to protesters.
“The Government should met with a number of the protesters and resolve the situation once and for all,” he said.
Speaking on RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland, the Carlow-Kilkenny TD added: “We need to diffuse what’s happening and that’s the Government’s job.”
On the same programme, Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan said the protests “have gone too far, I think it’s counterproductive”.
The Dublin Bay North TD said “targeting working people” by blocking roads and impacting public transport will “alienate” the public, rather than “galvanise” support.
Órla Ryan – 34 minutes ago
Fuel depots blocked
Access to three major fuel terminals – in Foynes, Galway and Whitegate – is expected to remain blocked today. There are fears some forecourts could run out of fuel.
Fuels for Ireland CEO Kevin McPartlan warned yesterday there was a risk to forecourts’ supply as a result of the protests.
Órla Ryan – 38 minutes ago
Traffic in Dublin city is expected to be severely disrupted again. O’Connell Street and O’Connell Bridge are closed, as are other roads in the city centre.
❌ North City ❌
Good morning. Disruption remains due to ongoing demonstrations across the city.
Bachelors Walk, Eden Quay, Custom House Quay closed.
O’Connell Street & Bridge closed.
Burgh Quay blocked. pic.twitter.com/ijXglQ3F6H
— LiveDrive (@LiveDrive) April 9, 2026
Órla Ryan – 43 minutes ago
Slow-moving convoys are expected on a number of motorways and roads again today.
🚛 A slow-moving demonstration has joined the M1 southbound at J6 (Balbriggan).
Expect long delays.
— LiveDrive (@LiveDrive) April 9, 2026
Transport Infrastructure Ireland has the latest updates on traffic and road closures here.
Disruption caused by rolling nationwide fuel protests are set to enter a third day with public transport companies warning of service disruption due to road closures.
Dublin Bus has said this morning that road closures in Dublin city centre are causing delays and disruptions.
“We wish to advise customers that due to fuel price protests, we are experiencing ongoing severe service disruptions and delays across the Dublin Bus network,” Dublin Bus said in a statement.
Luas commuters also face disruption. Luas Green Line trams are currently not operating between St Stephen’s Green and Dominick due to protesters blocking the tracks at O’Connell Bridge.
Green Line passengers, please be advised Green Line services are currently not operating between St. Stephen’s Green and Dominick. Services are operating between Broombridge and Dominick and between St. Stephen’s Green and Brides Glen only. This is due to a protest at O’Connell…
— Luas (@Luas) April 9, 2026
#DBSvcUpdate Road closures remain in place this morning as a result of a protest. We are experiencing service disruptions across the Dublin Bus network, please allow additional travel time. More details here:https://t.co/iybbl02cun
— dublinbusnews (@dublinbusnews) April 9, 2026