Gardaí have told protesters to immediately cease blockades of fuel depots and refineries or face the full rigours of the law.
Deputy Garda Commissioner, policing operations, Shawna Coxon said that some people have “significantly escalated” an already difficult situation by targeting critical infrastructure such as fuel depots and refineries.
She said that over the last two days, An Garda Síochána has engaged extensively with those taking part in fuel protests across the country to facilitate peaceful protest while protecting public safety.
Gardaí have been operating on the basis of the four Es – engage, explain, encourage and enforce, she said.
“Yesterday, we advised protesters that they were severely impacting on the lives of people, particularly emergency workers, those who need to attend hospital and workers,” she said, adding that despite this engagement, the protests have escalated.
“These are no longer protests, they are blockades.
“These blockades are putting at risk supplies of food, fuel, clean water and animal feed. These are critical for the nation and its people. This is not tolerable and is against the law."
Wilful obstruction
“The wilful obstruction of public roads and the movement of vehicles and persons are offences under various statutes including the Public Order Act and Road Traffic Acts,” she said.
“As part of our well-established graduated policing response in dealing with protests, An Garda Síochána is now moving to an enforcement phase in relation to those impacting on critical infrastructure unless they desist and disperse from these blockades.
“An Garda Síochána is advising protesters to immediately cease blockades of such critical infrastructure or face the full rigours of the law,” Coxon said.
Defence forces
The defence forces has confirmed to the Irish Farmers Journal that assistance has been requested from An Garda Siochána in the form of heavy vehicle recovery.
“As this operation is ongoing, we will not provide further comment until it is concluded.
“The defence forces are aware of images circulating of MOWAG armoured personnel carriers in convoy. We can confirm that these are the personnel of the 128th infantry battalion conducting mission readiness exercises ahead of deployment to UNIFIL next month,” the spokesperson said.
Animal feed sector
The Irish Grain and Feed Association (IGFA) has said that the blockades at the ports have caused “huge problems” for the animal feed sector.
“Mills need frequent access to feed materials at ports to ensure the consistent manufacture and supply of feed. Protests blocking the ports are making this impossible.
“Animal feed manufacturers need access to feed materials in ports as soon as possible, so that our farming customers can continue to feed properly and safeguard the welfare of their animals,” it said.
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