Lorries and tractors converge in Dublin to protest against fuel prices

Tractors, lorries and trucks have converged on Dublin city centre as part of a protest about the cost of fuel.

On Tuesday morning, Gardai said they were aware of a number of slow-moving convoys across the country.

Posting on X, An Garda Siochana said there were convoys on the M7 and M4 in County Kildare, on M7 in County Limerick, on the M8 in County Offaly, on the M3 in County Meath, on the M6 in County Westmeath, on the M6 in County Galway and near Portlaoise in County Laois.

By noon, O’Connell Street in Dublin had come to a standstill with coaches, cars, lorries and tractors parked on the capital’s main thoroughfare.

The Luas tracks were kept clear but Dublin Bus said a number of routes were diverted.

Agricultural contractor Gary Leonard said he had travelled with a convoy of around 80 from Navan in County Meath to O’Connell Street.

He said he believes carbon tax and excise duty should be removed from diesel.

He said this time last year, it cost 250 euros to fill an “ordinary middle-sized tractor”, but it now costs 450 euros.

Mr Leonard said it took the convoy around four hours to reach Dublin and the reaction on the way was “unbelievable”, adding: “The solidarity is really, really showing today.”

The 26-year-old said prices mean it is “getting hard to make a living”, despite working full time, adding it is “nearly impossible” to “get on in life” in Ireland.

John Dallon travelled with a convoy from County Kildare, and said: “We’re calling on the Government to save our economy.

“If the Government does not take us seriously, the economy will come to a halt, it’ll just stop running, because the people just will not be able to afford fuel.

“I can see this being a bigger collapse than back in the Celtic Tiger.”

The farmer said it is not just the agriculture industry that is affected, haulage and construction sectors are also under “serious pressure”.

The demonstration is “not just for the people in business”, he added, “but for the whole community of Ireland”.

He outlined a number of measures the protesters want to see put in place, including a cap on white diesel at 165 or 170, a cap on green diesel at 90 cents, and the abolition of the carbon tax and excise duty “at least, if not fully, in the interim, until this war is over”.

In a statement released ahead of a planned rally on O’Connell Street, Aontu leader Peadar Toibin called for a carbon tax cut.

He said the Government is “the key driver” of high prices for fuel in Ireland and it is “charging a tax on a staple product that people simply do not have the ability to pay”.

Speaking to Newstalk radio on Tuesday morning, Ger Hyland, president of the Irish Road Haulage Association, said the organisation is not involved in the protest.

When pressed, Mr Hyland refused to say whether he supports the protest and said: “While our association is at the table trying to negotiate a deal with the Government, I am not going to give an answer.”

He said he “empathised” with demonstrators, adding members of his organisation were “probably” involved and that “it’s up to every individual haulier himself to do as he sees fit for his company”.