An Garda Síochána has urged those taking part in nationwide fuel protests that have blocked some motorways and roadways around ports to “engage with gardaí locally to facilitate public transport and other traffic”.
Gardaí said on Wednesday that they had received reports that some diversion routes put in place around roads have also been blocked, saying that these protesters should also engage with gardaí locally to “facilitate important diversion and emergency routes”.
“Any Garda activity in relation to evolving events involves a graduated policing response taking into account relevant legislation and public safety.”
The statement said that while the past two days’ 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.
“Key public transports routes are also delayed or not operating, which means that employees and businesses are heavily impacted. A small number of fuel depots are also being blocked.”
Gardaí have stated that while the right to peaceful protest is facilitated, the force must “balance and protect the rights of individuals to travel freely and commercial organisations to conduct business”.
Government response
Senior Government figures have heaped criticism on the protests on Wednesday, with Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon warning that the disruptions could hit milk collections and feed supplies.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin warned that those blocking fuel depots or roadways could be penalised for their actions.
“Anybody who just simply parks a truck in the middle of nowhere, there should be penalties and there will be penalties in terms of any violations of various laws that apply there,” the Taoiseach said.
“Fuel depots will have to be cleared. There is no justification whatsoever for blockading fuel depots, it runs counter to what everyone wants, which is access to fuel on a timely basis and there is always a balance when there are protests.”
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An Garda Síochána has urged those taking part in nationwide fuel protests that have blocked some motorways and roadways around ports to “engage with gardaí locally to facilitate public transport and other traffic”.
Gardaí said on Wednesday that they had received reports that some diversion routes put in place around roads have also been blocked, saying that these protesters should also engage with gardaí locally to “facilitate important diversion and emergency routes”.
“Any Garda activity in relation to evolving events involves a graduated policing response taking into account relevant legislation and public safety.”
The statement said that while the past two days’ 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.
“Key public transports routes are also delayed or not operating, which means that employees and businesses are heavily impacted. A small number of fuel depots are also being blocked.”
Gardaí have stated that while the right to peaceful protest is facilitated, the force must “balance and protect the rights of individuals to travel freely and commercial organisations to conduct business”.
Government response
Senior Government figures have heaped criticism on the protests on Wednesday, with Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon warning that the disruptions could hit milk collections and feed supplies.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin warned that those blocking fuel depots or roadways could be penalised for their actions.
“Anybody who just simply parks a truck in the middle of nowhere, there should be penalties and there will be penalties in terms of any violations of various laws that apply there,” the Taoiseach said.
“Fuel depots will have to be cleared. There is no justification whatsoever for blockading fuel depots, it runs counter to what everyone wants, which is access to fuel on a timely basis and there is always a balance when there are protests.”
Read more
Taoiseach heavily critical of protest disruption amid fuel supply warning
Fuel price protest enters its second day
Protest: minister sounds alarm on milk collections and feed imports
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