Protesters plan to meet with Government as over 100 forecourts out of fuel and traffic chaos continues
Ellen O'Donoghue and Sarah Slater
- Protests against fuel prices are entering their fourth day
- Fuel supplies at forecourts are under threat of running dry, with over 100 out
- More traffic chaos is underway, with Dublin Bus and Luas reporting disruption
- Multiple closures in place on the M50 and delays reported on other roads nationwide
- A protest spokesman said some participants may attend a meeting with Government
- Dublin Airport issue passenger advisory
- The Defence Forces "remain on standby" to assist gardaí in clearing heavy vehicles from blockades
10.11am
Fuels for Ireland chief executive Kevin McPartlan has welcomed findings of a report published by the CCPC on Friday which found no breach of competition or consumer protection law on how fuel prices have been set in Ireland.
The CCPC examined fuel prices in light of "recent geopolitical developments," namely the war in Iran and the wider Middle East.
The report directly addresses concerns around price gouging or anti-competitive behaviour, McPartlan said.
"The report also confirms that the recent increases in fuel prices were driven by significant rises in international wholesale costs, rather than decisions taken by companies operating in Ireland.
"In fact, the report makes clear that prices at Irish forecourts rose by less than the increases observed on global markets," he added.
"Ireland is part of a global fuels market - we are a price taker, not a price setter.
"We recognise the very real pressure this has placed on households and businesses. As acknowledged by the CCPC, there is a level of distress and concern among consumers, and we absolutely recognise that.
"The cause of high prices is global market conditions, which are outside of the control of Irish fuel retailers.”
10.04am
Fuel protesters have added to their demands to lift disruptive demonstrations across the country amid confusion over a crucial government meeting.
A spokesman for the demonstrators said that protests would continue, but they are letting “more fuel” out on Friday, as some forecourts risked running dry after days-long blockades of major supply depots.
The protesters want the Government to commit to further action to combat rising fuel prices triggered by the war in Iran.
Government leaders have condemned the protests as “wrong” and “not in our national interest”, and said the fuel blockades were holding the country to “ransom”.
Government ministers have said they cannot engage with disparate groups carrying out protests, and encouraged them to engage with existing representative groups.
A meeting between several ministers and 10 farming, haulier and business groups is to take place on Friday afternoon.
Although it is understood there are no fuel protesters on the list of attendees, protesters have suggested they were invited to the “breakthrough” meeting.
Fuel protest spokesman James Geoghegan said Fianna Fáil TD for Galway West John Connelly invited them to attend on Friday, and that he, another fuel protester spokesman, John Dallon, and a group of protesters from Galway would attend.
Connelly rang into Newstalk while on a train to say he had not invited him to the meeting, and that he had advised them to talk to the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), which is among the groups meeting with government on Friday.
Geoghegan said that even if a meeting is held, the protest would continue on Friday despite their pledge to call off demonstrations if the government agreed to meet them.
The protesters had also added to their list of demands: along with the removal of the carbon tax from green diesel and the price of fuel to be capped, they want oil exploration off the west coast of Ireland to begin, and the Dáil to be recalled on Friday.
He said: “We will be looking for the Dáil to be recalled this evening or tonight. It has to be rubber stamped.”
9.40am
A number of new protests are after kicking off on a number of mainline motorways through Co Kildare, according to Sarah Slater.
The M4 new protest has left Kilcock heading for Dublin, approaching Intel Junction.
The M7 new protest has left Junction 9a Millennium Naas heading for Dublin, a queue rapidly building with this one approaching Johnstown Junction 8.
The M9 new protest is at a crawl northbound after Castledermot, approaching Athy Junction, while the N81 is also suffering tailbacks after Blessington heading for Tallaght.
9.22am
Director of Services with Waterford City and County Council for Roads Gabriel Hynes confirmed that the council is already feeling the effects of the fuel crisis, Sarah Slater reports.
He said the local authority currently has between a week and ten days of fuel supply available, with demand at its highest due to peak roadworks season.
“In relation to fuel… we roughly have a week, maybe 10 days supply,” he said. “We’re at the peak of our roadworks programme, so demand at this time of the year is at its peak as well.”
Hynes also revealed that fuel prices have increased by around 30 per cent since January, significantly affecting operational costs.
“We have 250 vehicles approximately operating, so we have a significant fuel demand,” he said.
9am
A spokesperson for protesters at Foynes Port in Co Limerick has said they would open the port today for feed and for five loads of fuel for frontline workers and hospitals.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Neilus O’Connor said protesters had let chemicals needed by Uisce Éireann through their blockade on Thursday.
Asked if the protest would end if they had a meeting with Government, he said: “We will wait until we see the results of that meeting, and then we’ll decide where we go from there.”
8.44am
Representatives of fuel protesters said they will join a meeting of farmers’ groups with government on Friday afternoon.
Despite the protesters saying the demonstrations would be lifted once government met with them, spokesman James Geoghegan said they would continue.
Geoghegan said they want the carbon tax on green diesel to be removed and the price of fuel to be capped.
He said Fianna Fáil TD for Galway West John Connelly invited them to attend Leinster House on Friday, and that he, spokesman John Dallon and a group of protesters from Galway would attend.
Connelly said he had not invited him to the meeting and that he instead had advised them to talk to the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), which is attending the meeting with government on Friday.
“It’s not over yet for the simple reason we don’t trust the government at this stage,” Geoghegan said.
“We had several meetings yesterday, we had several meetings during the night, we had several meetings this morning – I got, I think, two hours sleep last night – and the word coming back from the ground is after the way Micheál Martin disrespected everyone, he is not to be trusted ever again.
“We have actually reduced the protest, we are allowing out more fuel today, we have lifted some of the blockades off the ports.”
8.22am
Gardaí have said that “critical deliveries” left Rosslare Europort overnight after “positive and constructive engagement with local protestors” during the fuel demonstrations.
An Garda Síochána posted on social media showing a number of trucks and lorries being escorted from the port by a Garda car.
(1/2) An Garda Síochána has and continues to engage extensively with those taking part in fuel protests across the country to facilitate peaceful protest while protecting public safety. pic.twitter.com/Dn32JrJhzz
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) April 10, 2026
The force wrote: “An Garda Síochána has and continues to engage extensively with those taking part in fuel protests across the country to facilitate peaceful protest while protecting public safety.”
8.18am
The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has offered to act as “an honest broker” between fuel protesters and the Government, its president has said.
Ger Hyland was speaking on RTÉ radio's Morning Ireland on Friday morning as widespread disruption caused by the demonstrations continued into a fourth day.
On Thursday night, a spokesperson for the Dublin city blockade appeared on RTÉ’s Prime Time and claimed protest participants would be attending a meeting with Government on Friday that was originally scheduled for official national representative bodies.
Later a Government spokesman said it had agreed to meet official representatives, adding, “Who these nationally and democratically constituted bodies choose to bring along with them is a matter for them.”
On Friday morning, Hyland said the Government had “extended two places at that table to our association”.
He said he had put forward two people from the IRHA but “it is up to the Government who goes to a Government meeting, I can’t decide who I bring in, who I want”.
Hyland said he had contact with the protesters “through intermediaries” and is available to meet demonstrators before the meeting, and “if the protesters are happy” he would “bring their concerns with us into Government”.
8.11am
Over 100 filling stations have now run out of fuel, and that number could multiply rapidly today if blockades continue.
The head of Fuels for Ireland has said it is a significant number, and it could reach up to 500 if there is no improvement by the end of the day.
It comes as blockades at the country’s main depots and only oil refinery in Co Cork continues on Friday morning.
Fuels for Ireland chief executive Kevin McParlan told Newstalk that panic buying is making things worse, and is encouraging people to "keep their heads.
"I know that last night we were around about the 100 forecourts figure, which bare in mind that we have 1,600 forecourts in the country, it’s a fairly significant number, and also it’s quite regional, so there are kind of black spots in parts of Munster and in the west, where it’s particularly difficult just because that’s where the fuel depots that have been blockaded are based," McParlan said.
8.05am
Fuel protests are causing disruption for motorists on a number of national roads on Friday morning.
The M7 remains closed at Portlaoise in both directions, while the M8 northbound from Cashel to Cahir is also blocked by protests.
In Limerick, the M7 is blocked at Annacotty in both directions, and the traffic delays are backing up to the Limerick tunnel, while the M18 in Co Clare is blocked at Dromoland.
Sections of the M9 northbound also remain blocked.
8am
Dublin Airport have issued a passenger advisory for those travelling to and from the airport on Friday due to the protests.
Passengers have been advised to allow extra time for their journeys due to the protests causing traffic disruption on roads approaching the airport, and have been asked to use live traffic apps to identify the quickest and best routes.
ð¢ Passenger Advisory: 8am
Passengers travelling to/from Dublin Airport this morning are advised to allow extra time for their journey due to protest activity causing traffic disruption on some roads approaching the airport, including the M50.
Passengers should use live traffic…
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) April 10, 2026
It comes after people were photographed with luggage walking alongside heavy traffic on the M50 on Thursday as they tried to make it to the airport.
7.53am
There are two full road closures along the M50.
The road is closed northbound at Blanchardstown after Junction 6, as is the Southbound route between Junction 3 at the M1/M50 Interchange and Junction 4 Ballymun.
For more information on road closures, visit here.
7.41am
Dubin Bus has warned on Friday morning that due to the ongoing fuel price protests, it is “experiencing ongoing severe service disruptions and delays” resulting in a number of services being cancelled or diverted.
A full list is available on the Dublin Bus website.
#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/DjkxMSErwr
— dublinbusnews (@dublinbusnews) April 10, 2026
Meanwhile, Dublin's north and south quays are open for traffic as normal, but O'Connell Street bridge remains closed to traffic.
The Luas Green Line is still not operating between St Stephen's Green and Dominick.
Services are only operating between Broombridge and Dominick, and between St Stephen's Green and Brides Glen, due to the protest.
â ï¸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 Bridge. We…
— Luas (@Luas) April 9, 2026
7.35am
Protesters close to Rosslare Europort were served with a Section 8 of the Public Order Act by gardaí on Thursday night.
Gardaí in the village of Kilrane over a loudspeaker issued a warning to protestors that they had to leave the area and failure to do so “in a peaceful and orderly manner” would lead them to “possibly” being arrested and conviction liable to a €1,000 fine or a six-month prison sentence.
The garda added: “I would just urge you all to please peacefully remove yourselves from the area," Sarah Slater reports.
Many of the protesters retorted by saying: “The people of Ireland say no.”
The incident was recorded by scores of those gathered.
Local Aountú councillor Jim Codd said “there were extraordinary scenes” in Rosslare. “The Government has it in their power to stop this now,” Codd said.
Meanwhile, in Co Kilkenny numerous filling stations have reported that they have no fuel left following a surge in motorists panic buying.
Service station locations include Thomastown, Goresbridge, Slieverue and Kilkenny city.
6.50am
Fuel supplies at more forecourts are under threat of running dry as a days-long blockade of major supply depots continues.
They want the Government to commit to further action on fuel costs.
A spokesman for the protesters said some participants may attend a meeting with Government on Friday that was originally scheduled for national representative bodies, with a coalition spokesman saying who the official groups bring is a matter for them.
Their widespread action enters a fourth day on Friday with demonstrators facing a reaction from An Garda Síochána, which said it was entering an “enforcement” phase of its response – accompanied by support from the military.
Social media footage late on Thursday showed gardaí warning protesters they could be arrested if they did not peacefully disperse from an area near Rosslare Europort in Co Wexford.
The Government’s intolerance of the action escalated on Thursday, with Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan and Defence Minister Helen McEntee stating that the Defence Forces “remain on standby” to assist gardaí in clearing heavy vehicles from the blockades.
Protesters have restricted access to a major oil refinery in Whitegate, Co Cork, as well as fuel depots in Galway City and Foynes, Co Limerick.
It has raised concern over panic buying at forecourts, some of which have run out of fuel, as well as impacts on emergency services and deliveries of key supplies for animal welfare on farms.
A leading industry representative warned that the number of forecourts running dry would get “much, much worse” from Thursday evening’s position of affected service stations being in the “low double digits”.
Fuels For Ireland chief executive Kevin McPartland said “panic buying has absolutely taken hold” and warned that “real significant life-death problems are going to be caused” with fuel supplies to emergency service vehicles under threat.
Ireland’s emergency planning group echoed the comments with “serious concern”, saying there may be an impact on availability for some vital services, supply chains and public transport.
The National Emergency Co-ordination Group (NECG) said Ireland’s overall fuel supplies remain “robust and resilient” but said the obstruction of key routes from ports is threatening the provision of animal feed supplies, fertiliser and other vital materials, resulting in potential animal welfare issues and a threat to livelihoods in the agriculture sector.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) said the disruption is causing people to miss medical appointments and is impacting the provision of home care and critical care, such as dialysis and cancer treatment.
The HSE also warned that the blockades could disrupt the time-sensitive delivery of key medicines and medical devices.
6.35am
Fuel price protesters have secured a meeting with Government Ministers, according to an organiser of the demonstrations, who pledged to continue disruptions for a fourth day on Friday.
One of the organisers, James Geoghegan, claimed negotiators will join a meeting at Government Buildings on Friday afternoon, alongside the Irish Road Haulage Association and the Irish Farmers’ Association.
It comes after forecourts across the country ran low on fuel as protests and blockades continued to cause widespread traffic disruption on Thursday.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Prime Time on Thursday night, Geoghegan described the meeting as a “breakthrough”.
He said the protest had been “pulled in off O’Connell Bridge” and “word had gone down” to release kerosene from fuel depots.
But he said there would continue to be disruption.
“We have a list of demands going into Government tomorrow.”
A Government spokesman said late on Thursday that it had agreed to meet official representative bodies.
However, the spokesman said: “Who these nationally and democratically constituted bodies choose to bring along with them is a matter for them.”
The spokesman said Government had already introduced the “most substantive measures anywhere in the EU” on a per capita basis, but added: “We have been clear that these measures were introduced with flexibility to adapt our response, if required.
“That work remains ongoing and will continue tomorrow as we engage with the national representative organisations.
“Government respects the rights of groups to take part in a peaceful protest but cannot stand by when blockades are (taking) place at our country’s refineries and fuel depots.
“It is not helpful to working people, their families and is harmful to our economy.”
Additional reporting: PA
