A Clare farmer is laying the blame for tailbacks arising from today’s fuel protest at the feet of the Government, saying “sooner or later” protests will escalate when politicians don’t listen.
Major routes in the county are experiencing significant congestion today as slow-moving convoys make their way to Dublin to highlight their opposition to rising fuel prices.
Trucks, tractors and cars assembled at the Banner Plaza at Junction 12 outside Ennis at 7am today before embarking on the go-slow protest via both County Galway and County Limerick.
The action, which is part of a nationwide effort, has been coordinated in an attempt to force the Government to take action on the soaring cost of diesel, petrol and home heating oil.
‘The People of Ireland Against Fuel Prices’, the coalition behind the event, says the “one message” they wish to communicate is that people have “had enough” of fuel hikes, the cost-of-living crisis and “families being pushed to the brink”.
One of the key figures behind the protest, Cathal O’Donoghue of C&C Executive Travel, who claims his fuel bill has risen by €40,000 in the last month, says they’re standing up for everyone affected by the price increases.
In Clare, traffic is understood to be at a standstill at various stretches of the M18 and N18, while approach roads to Ennis such as the Lahinch Road and the N85 bypass are also severely impacted.
Cratloe farmer and former general secretary of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association Eddie Punch, who’s participating in the protest, insists emergency services are being facilitated.
The action is expected to continue all day today, causing disruption to many attempting to make their way to work and other obligations.
Clare FM listener Ann, who works as a nurse on-call, was heavily delayed by the congestion this morning, and believes there’s a better way people can get their message across.
Sixmilebridge oil merchant PJ Ryan says it’s unfair to discommode people who are themselves victims of the fuel crisis and have places to be.
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