Gardaí say fuel protests are ‘causing significant disruption’
An Garda Síochána has issued a statement on the ongoing fuel protests, describing “significant disruption” for some parts of the country.
An Garda Síochána said it has been “engaging with, and continues to engage with, those involved in the fuel protests around the country, seeking to work with them to mitigate the negative impact these protests are having on the lives of their communities”.
It added: “While these protests have been peaceful, they are causing significant disruption for people in some parts of the country.
“We in An Garda Síochána have received reports of emergency workers being delayed or not being able to travel to their work, of people not being able to attend hospital appointments or visit loved ones who are ill.”
An Garda Síochána noted that key public transports routes are “also delayed or not operating, which means that employees and businesses are heavily impacted”.
Since yesterday, An Garda Síochána has been engaging with,and continues to engage with, those involved in the fuel protests around the country.
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) April 8, 2026
An Garda Síochána will continue to provide updates, where possible, to the public, through our social media channels. pic.twitter.com/YAoVHpP4eQ
It also said that “a small number of fuel depots are also being blocked”.
An Garda Síochána added that while it “respects and facilitates" the right to peaceful protest, it must also “balance and protect the rights of individuals to travel freely and commercial organisations to conduct business”.
Traffic
An Garda Síochána has asked for protestors to “engage with gardaí locally to facilitate public transport and other traffic”.
It said it has received reports of the “blocking of diversion routes put in place to facilitate travel around protests” and also requested protestors to engage with gardaí to “facilitate important diversion and emergency routes”.
An Garda Síochána added that it “has no role in permitting or authorising public gatherings or protests”.
“There is no permit required in order to organise any protest.
“Any garda activity in relation to evolving events involves a graduated policing response taking into account relevant legislation and public safety.”
Protests
Fuel price protests have continued for a second day, with convoys of tractors, hauliers and contractors impacting on the flow of traffic on some of the country's key motorways and main arterial roads today as protesters continue to call for a cap on fuel prices.Major routes around Dublin city centre were cut off as protesters with tractors shut down road access to O’Connell Street.Separately, fuel depots and access to ports in counties Galway and Limerick were also blocked by protesters.
