The oil tanker Thun Gemini has docked at the Port of Galway after being stuck since Friday morning due to the blockade that was in place, Fuels for Ireland have confirmed.
It had been anchored in Galway Bay unable to unload its six million litres of fuel, but after the blockade was lifted earlier today, Thun Gemini made its way to berth around 2pm.
Fuels for Ireland said it will take around 12 hours to offload the fuel onboard.
It is understood that by 8am tomorrow morning, normal operations will have resumed at the Port and as tankers are filled, the Thun Gemini will be able to unload.
The blockade at Galway Port by fuel protesters ended following an early morning garda operation.
The Garda Public Order Unit, along with uniformed gardaí, dismantled a make shift barricade and began to clear the area shortly before 8am.
Overnight protesters had constructed a barrier of railings, wooden pallets and felled trees along the bridge leading to the terminal at the Port of Galway, which is a key fuel depot.
Protesters also parked trucks and tractors on both ends.
Once gardaí had the railings, pallets and felled trees removed, the Public Order Unit moved in directing protesters to leave.
Many did so peacefully although some were resistant.
Elsewhere, the blockade at the fuel depot at Foynes Port in Co Limerick has ended.
Protesters in a motorcade of trucks and tractors were led by a group of bikers from the entrance to the port.
Neilus O'Connor, an agricultural contractor from Moyvane in Co Kerry, said a vote was taken to stand down the blockade this morning.
Fuel tankers have been coming and going from the depot at Foynes Port this evening.
Gardaí are maintaining a presence on the N69 in County Limerick after protesters ended a blockade at the entrance to the port at lunchtime today.
All protesters dispersed after constructive engagement with local gardaí this afternoon.
Protesters stand down blockade at Foynes, Co Limerick
"We decided we would stand down our peaceful and effective protest," Mr O’Connor said.
"We came here to make a point and we have done that. It’s just a pity that we had to escalate a protest to this level to bring our Government to the table to get fairness for every working person in the country."
The decision to stand down the blockade came after constructive dialogue with local gardaí, led by Supt Michael Fleming.
There continues to be a garda presence at the site, as a small number of protesters remain.
Rosslare
Protesters restricting access to Rosslare Europort in Co Wexford have also stood down their protest.
The vehicles blocking the village of Kilrane have been moved away, and the protesters were due to walk away peacefully.
This will allow the trucks parked on the main road for several days to finally access Rosslare Europort.
It is expected the backlog of unaccompanied freight at the port will then begin to be transported onto its final destination, alleviating worries that future cargo ships due at the port will have to be turned away
Gardaí remove blockade at Galway Port
The fuel protests - which also involved a blockade of the oil refinery in Cork - strangled fuel distribution across the country.
Roads have also been blocked throughout the country, including Dublin's O'Connell Street. However protesters have been cleared from there following an overnight garda operation.
Read more:
Live: Updates as they happen
Garda operation clears protesters from Dublin's O'Connell Street
Full restoration of fuel supply could take ten days - Fuels for Ireland
