A Garda operation is ongoing at Whitegate Refinery in Co. Cork to "ensure critical supplies of fuel" to maintain critical emergency public services.

This includes ambulance and fire services, An Garda Síochána said.

Garda public order units have been deployed and blockaders "must comply with Garda directions".

Fuel depots such as Whitegate Refinery and Shannon Foynes Port have been restricted because of blockades, and movement at the three sites is extremely limited.

The fuel protests, which began on Tuesday, have also seen slow-moving convoys of tractors, trucks, buses and other vehicles and blockades on motorways, roads and ports.

Fuel protests around the county are now in their fifth day, and hundreds of forecourts across the country are currently without fuel.

The National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG) was told at a meeting yesterday (Friday, April 10) that the blockades continue to cause "major disruption for the public, pose a threat to supply chains, and to the provision of essential services, including emergency response services and public transport".

The NECG urged the public to "only buy the fuel they need".

Travel has been disrupted across the country as a result of protests.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland has given an update on road closures this afternoon.

Protestors have already outlined plans for Sunday, which would mark a sixth day of action.

In a post to social media, they have said from 11:00a.m tomorrow, they will be "gathering in towns and counties right across Ireland for a peaceful nationwide protest".