Opinion: urban-rural alliance claims a victory over government

They gathered on Molesworth Street, across the road from the front gates of Leinster House, from early afternoon on, perhaps 2,000 strong.

The atmosphere down the back was typical farmer protest conversation, with talk veering from their experiences over the last week at the various protest sites back to diesel price, weather, grass growth and field work.

Up the front, however, it was febrile. People were packed 10 deep against a barrier that ran the width of Molesworth Street, chanting and waving flags and banners.

It was a case of GAA crowd down the back, soccer crowd up the front

The accents were distinctly urban, I would say if you asked them about grass, they would think you were looking for a smoke. It was a case of GAA crowd down the back, soccer crowd up the front.

The farmers, contractors and hauliers were adamant that the Government had “played dirty” during the protest.

There were accusations of undercover “agent provocateurs” among the protests from the start, and everyone seemed convinced that PSNI members had been working with the gardaí on the streets, something that would be entirely illegal.

There was feverish speculation as to whether the Government would survive the day

And when the news broke that Michael Healy-Rae had resigned his junior ministry, and would be voting no confidence in the Government, it was like Troy Parrott had scored in Budapest all over again. The chants of “get them out, get them out” rose high, with everyone joining in, front and back.

There was feverish speculation as to whether the Government would survive the day. Would other independents such as Gillian Toole abandon the ship?

In the end, there were no further defections, and the confidence vote resulted in a comfortable victory for the Government.

The mood was defiant, with people feeling they had drawn blood.

The protesters felt the fuel support package was a direct response to their direct action, and those opposed to Government saw the first weakening of the broad coalition so painstakingly constructed only 15 months ago.