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Fifth day of fuel price blockades across country

Updated / Saturday, 11 Apr 2026 11:42
Tractors are pictured blocking the road on the N4 to M50 in Dublin due to the ongoing fuel protests
Tractors are pictured blocking the N4 to M50 road in Dublin

Fuel protests across the country have entered a fifth day, with blockades remaining in place at three fuel-storage facilities.

The protests have led to fuel supplies running out on hundreds of forecourts with around 600 service stations having run out of diesel and petrol.

The blockade of parts of Dublin city centre is continuing, with O'Connell Street and South Quay closed to traffic.

A blockade on the M50 and several other motorways is also continuing.

The M50 is reported to be closed at Junctions 5 and 6 in both directions. On the N4, the M50 interchange eastbound slip road, and M50 northbound, is closed.

Among the road closures on the M7 is the section at Portlaoise between Junctions 16 and 17, which is closed in both directions. On the M8, at Cashel south, there is a blockage northbound.

Road blocks are reported on the M18, with the M18/N18 at junction 11 in Clare closed in both directions.

Public transport also remains affected by diversions with the partial suspensions of many services.

Bus Éireann has said its services at Rosslare Europort are suspended until further notice, and will instead begin and end at Wexford train station.

In Dublin, there continues to be major disruption to bus services.

Dublin Bus continues to operate curtailed services in the city centre but warned customers in a social media post they "are experiencing service disruptions across the Dublin Bus network, please allow additional travel time".

Bus Éireann has said that it will try to serve Dublin Airport passengers where possible. People travelling to Shannon and Dublin Airports are advised to allow extra time.

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Gardaí declare 'exceptional event' over fuel protests

An Garda Síochána has declared an "exceptional event" in response to the fuel protests.

This allows the force to double the number of gardaí available to work.

The move came after a meeting between the Garda Commissioner and representative associations.

An "exceptional event" is invoked when the force is dealing with an emergency or unforeseen event and it allows the cancellation of rest days and the redeployment of gardaí to other areas as required.

The use of the mechanism is rare and suggests that extra gardaí will be deployed in response to protests taking place across the country.

Fuel protesters at Whitegate in Cork
Fuel protesters are pictured in Whitegate, Cork

The move comes as the Government confirmed a significant and enhanced fuel support package is being finalised after a day of what they described as "constructive engagement" with stakeholders.

A meeting between Government ministers and representatives of the haulage and farming sectors in the Department of Agriculture ended last night, with details of the new offer from ministers of further fuel reliefs still to be finalised.

It is understood that frank views on the fuel crisis, the ongoing protests and assistance that is now needed were exchanged during the five-hour meeting.

Further meetings are to take place today between the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) and Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien, and also between the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA), the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) and Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon.

Foynes Circle K
Around 600 service stations have run out of diesel and petrol

In a statement yesterday, the Government said a significant and enhanced support package is being finalised in detail to alleviate the burden on impacted sectors.

"Ministers stressed that constructive engagement with stakeholders will continue over the weekend and will reconvene again tomorrow to finalise the details of the response.

"They reaffirmed their intention to bring proposals to a conclusion as quickly as possible," it added.

Ministers have said no announcements would be made until protests and blockades have been stood down, although sectoral representatives pointed out they could not wait for this as extra assistance is needed urgently.

The package, which has yet to be published, has been described by Tánaiste Simon Harris as "significant and substantial".

The National Emergency Co-ordination Group, which met yesterday, is urging people to conserve fuel.

The group also said the national ambulance and fire services have put plans in place to manage restricted fuel supplies.

The NECG has also called for people attending hospital appointments and care workers to be allowed safe access to their destinations.

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