The latest tractor protest, which ground Dublin Port Tunnel to a halt and caused major traffic disruption on the M50, is a warning to the next government, according to its organisers.

Approximately 100 tractors blocked the main road leading away from the Port Tunnel on Thursday afternoon for over three hours. The protest arrived in Dublin the night before, with tractors and other vehicles remaining on St Stephen's Green overnight.

While stopped at the port, the line of tractors stretched for 1.1km. The group left for the M50 at 4pm, with gardaí escorting them.

IFOI

The protest was organised by a group of farmers known as the Individual Farmers of Ireland (IFOI). Committee member James Geoghegan said it was a joint protest between contractors and farmers. A significant portion of those taking part in the protest were also young people.

Geoghegan said contractors were there protesting against planned increases to the carbon tax, which they fear will increase diesel prices and operating costs.

Another IFOI committee member John Dallon said beef farmers were there because prices were below the cost of production.

Both members promised the protest would return to Dublin if it was necessary.

“To the new government coming back in, and I hope they listen, because we’re going to come back and we’ve doubled the numbers from the last time and we’ll triple them the next time,” Dallon said.

Demonstration

Dallon said the protest would hit the M50 to demonstrate “how strong we are and what we can do”.

“This problem is not going to go away until the new government and minister coming in pay heed to us, that they’re going to act and do something for us.”

Geoghegan said: “We have to be listened to. This is our last stand on this one. If things don’t change in the next government, if they keep up disrespecting farmers, we will up the ante next time.

“This upped the ante from November…the next time we’ll block it for a lot longer,” he said.

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Watch: tractor protest heads for the M50

Tractor protest to block Port Tunnel and M50