Unprecedented week as Limerick at epicentre of fuel demonstrations

IT’S BEEN an unprecedented week in Limerick and across the country, as blockades over the rising cost of fuel have seen loss of trade, missed appointments and widespread traffic delays.

Service stations ran dry and critical vehicles like ambulances ran low on fuel.

Above: A fuel pump at Clarina (Picture: Brendan Gleeson)

A national focus was placed on Limerick, with a blockade of Foynes Port, where fuel enters the State, and the emergence of local TD Richard O’Donoghue as a big supporter of the protesters.

Indeed, the blockade at Foynes was one of the last to conclude, after demonstrators voluntarily left the scene.

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Protesters had allowed emergency loads of fuel, animal feed and chemicals for water treatment be released.

However, it’s likely going to be days until service stations across Limerick and fuel distribution returns to normality.

Below: a protest march took place in the city on Sunday last

On Sunday night, the Government announced a raft of measures, including cutting excise duty on petrol and diesel by 10c, with a further 2.4% reduction on marked gas oil or green diesel.

During the six-day long demonstration, the N18 route, a section of the M20 Limerick to Cork road and the M7 between Junction 29 Ballysimon and Junction 30 at Rosbrien faced congestion, which led to hours-long tailbacks. The Limerick Tunnel was also affected.

The HSE reported missed appointments at University Hospital Limerick.

Fianna Fail Minister of State Niall Collins, who clashed with Mr O’Donoghue over the demonstrations, told the Leader he had been contacted by a local carer who was unable to attend a house call as she had her passage blocked by a protestor, who insisted on seeing proof of her job.

Defence Forces personnel driving armoured personnel carriers were spotted in Limerick City on Thursday last.

However, this was unrelated to the ongoing blockades, with the Forces stating they were conducting mission readiness exercises ahead of a deployment to Southern Lebanon.

There’s been political fallout from this locally.

Mr Collins said: “The blockades were illegal. They were an attempt to subvert and disenable the State and we can’t have that. People need to reflect on the fact that blockading our ports ultimately would lead to the breakdown of our transportation and food distribution capabilities across the country. It would also lead to a breakdown in public water drinking supply.”

Below: Simon Curtin, John Michael Kennelly, Ger naughton and Conor Greaney attending the oil crisis demonstration in Foynes (Picture: Brendan Gleeson)

Above: Carl Collins, Edel Hourigan and Ellie Lyons (Picture: Brendan Gleeson)

On the No Confidence motion submitted by Sinn Fein and opposition parties, Mr Collins took aim at Labour and Social Democrats for their backing.

“Whatever about Sinn Fein supporting an illegal blockade of our ports and an attempt to completely take down our country, to see Labour and the Social Democrats falling in line as their lapdogs to support them is very disappointing.”

Labour TD Conor Sheehan hit back, saying: “This is not about Sinn Fein and the fuel blockades. We have no confidence in this Government from the get-go. The public anger out there goes beyond the protests. People are at the pin of their collar with the cost of living. Fuel was only the symptom in relation to this”.

Below: The Defence Forces said the MOWAG Armoured Personnel Carriers in Ballyneety had nothing to do with protests  

Ultimately, the Government clung to power as a result of support from some Independent TDs.

Mr O’Donoghue has described the demonstrators as “the most dignified people I have ever witnessed”. He admitted that “elements” had infiltrated the group at Foynes, but they were asked to leave.

Communications Minister Patrick O'Donovan has said that he will be asking the media regulator, to review coverage locally and nationally of the fuel protests.

He added he would be asking if the coverage was “balanced or was it skewed and I think that's a role for Coimisiún na Meán?”.

The Fine Gael TD has since pulled back on this suggestion.