The Taoiseach has said the ongoing protests over rising fuel costs have gone "far beyond the pale" and that the blocking of roads and infrastructure is "not a fair form of protest".
There is further disruption on Ireland's road networks for a third day and gardaí have requested the assistance of the Defence Forces to remove vehicles blocking critical infrastructure.
The move was confirmed in a statement from Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan, who said the blocking of such infrastructure will not be permitted to continue.
Under law, gardaí can request the assistance of the Defence Forces as an aid to the civil power, and that request was issued overnight.
Minister O'Callaghan said large vehicles blocking infrastructure, such as the Whitegate refinery, will be removed this morning.
Owners of the vehicles are being requested to move them immediately, as they are denying people access to fuel, which was described in the statement as an "unacceptable interference".
The statement adds that owners "should not complain" about any damage caused to vehicles during removal by gardaí and the Defence Forces.
Speaking on RTÉ's Today with David McCullagh, the Taoiseach said: "We don't want to be denying that right or the opportunity for people to articulate their position.
"But these type of protests have gone far beyond the pale now, in terms of the undermining of citizens' rights to access the fundamentals of life itself."
Micheál Martin added: "We have main arteries blocked and we have the essentials of the economy being stopped and paralysed. That's not fair to the people of Ireland. That's not a fair form of protest."
The protests, which began on Tuesday, have involved slow-moving convoys on motorways as well as the blocking of major roads in Dublin and other cities.
Those taking part included hauliers and agricultural contractors using large trucks and tractors to disrupt traffic.
One of those protesting is John Dallon, a farmer from Kildare, who said the protest will not be called off.
He is one of four people put forward to the Tánaiste's office by Fine Gael Senator Paraic Brady to speak to the Government on behalf of protesters.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Mr Dallon accused the Government of "holding the country to ransom" and said people have the right to peaceful protest.
"This protest does not just involve people that's in business, this involves nurses, doctors, everybody going to work that has to put diesel and petrol into their cars and buy food to put on the table, pay mortgages - this is all about the people of the island of Ireland that put that Government in power," he said.
Mr Dallon said he did not speak for all protestors and could not help the situation from escalating.
"We want a cap on the green diesel of 90c plus VAT, we want a cap on the white diesel between €1.60-€1.70 at the most, plus vat.
"And we want the petrol capped as well... and the kerosene."
Mr Dallon said the protest will continue until the Tánaiste and Taoiseach "respect the people of Ireland" and "allow the representatives of the people of Ireland that were put forward as a voice for them in the meetings".
Disruption to public transport in Dublin
In Dublin, Dublin Bus has advised customers that a number of road closures will remain in place across the capital as a result of protests and that delays and disruptions are being experienced across the city.
"We wish to advise customers that due to fuel price protests, we are experiencing ongoing severe service disruptions and delays across the Dublin Bus network," Dublin Bus said in a statement.
Green line Luas trams are not operating between St Stephen's Green and Dominick due to the protest blocking the tracks at O'Connell Bridge.
Several tractors remain parked along Dublin's O'Connell Street.
#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/iybbl02cun
— dublinbusnews (@dublinbusnews) April 9, 2026
The demonstrations have also included the blockading of fuel depots at the Whitegate oil refinery in Co Cork.
Green Line 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…
— Luas (@Luas) April 9, 2026
Protesters say they want to meet with the Government, but senior ministers say they will, and have, met with nationally representative bodies.
Protestors have said they will continue their action until their demand is met for a price cap on both agricultural and white diesel.
Taoiseach said this morning that that there is "no clear central focus" in terms of the coordination of the protest.
"This evolved in a very wildcat manner, there is no one clear central focus ... in terms of one group. We heard one spokesperson on O'Connell Street this morning saying he had no act or part in what was happening in Foynes or Whitegate."
He said the Irish Road Haulage Association made good suggestions during a meeting with Government officials yesterday.
