Irish army asked to move some vehicles in fuel 'blockades'

The army is being called in to help remove vehicles blocking roads during fuel protests in the Republic of Ireland, with the Irish police now treating protests at fuel depots as "blockades".

Travel in parts of the country is being affected for the third day in a row, with slow-moving convoys protesting against high fuel prices caused by the US and Israeli war against Iran. There are long tailbacks on the M50.

The Irish Minister for Justice, Jim O'Callaghan, said there would be "legal consequences" for the protests.

"It might not arise today or tomorrow but people have licences to drive vehicles, those licences will be affected."

O'Callaghan added that he expected insurance coverage to become "void as a result of the owner of the equipment deciding to voluntarily get involved in such illegal activity".

Gardaí (Irish police) can request the assistance of the Irish army in "aid to the civil power... when required".

In a statement to the media on Thursday, a spokesperson for the gardaí said the force was "moving to an enforcement phase" unless those blocking access to critical infrastructure "desist and disperse".

They said blockades were putting food, fuel, clean water and animal feed supplies at risk.

Earlier, O'Callaghan said that owners of vehicles removed by the Defence Forces "should not complain later about any damage caused... during removal".

A number of motorways and roads across the country have been blocked by protesters.

Protesters are continuing to blockade fuel sites this afternoon in Cork, Limerick and Galway.

Kevin McPartlan, chief executive of Fuels For Ireland, said some forecourts were now running out of stock as a direct result of the blockades.

"The position is straightforward. If access to fuel terminals and refineries is obstructed, fuel cannot be loaded and delivered as normal," he told Irish broadcaster RTÉ.

A truck containing chemicals for the treatment of drinking water which was stuck at a fuel depot in Foynes, County Limerick, since Monday, has now been allowed to pass through a blockade, RTÉ is reporting.

They reported that an agreement was reached this morning with protesters to allow the truck to make its way to County Antrim.

The Irish Health Service Executive has called for all approaches to medical facilities to be kept clear for users to access treatment.

Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin said people who were not protesting "want this resolved".

"We're going to do everything we can to keep the economy going," he added.

Earlier, Martin told Irish broadcaster RTÉ that the blocking of roads and infrastructure was "not a fair form of protest".

He said it was "unacceptable" that people would be denied access to fuel and clear water.

"We have main arteries blocked and we have the essentials of the economy being stopped and paralysed."

The taoiseach added that the protests were "damaging our economy significantly".

"For people who said they were concerned about the price of fuel, to now be denying people access to fuel is beyond any logical comprehension."

Martin said that the government did not anticipate violence.

However Irish Defence Minister Helen McEntee claimed the actions of some protesters was "now crossing into criminal behaviour".

"There are genuine people there with genuine concerns…but those involved in protests who are actively blocking and preventing people from accessing fuel…they have to stop."

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald called for the taoiseach (Irish prime minister) and tánaiste (deputy PM) to "pick up the phone" to protesters.

McDonald also said she does not want to see "disruption" or protesters "sleeping in tractors" on O'Connell Street, adding "people should engage respectfully".

A spokesperson for the protesters, John Dallon, told BBC Radio Ulster's The Nolan Show that "the people of Ireland are not happy with the government".

He said the Irish government's support package, which was announced in March, was not sufficient.

"What they gave the farmers and the contractors was a complete utter insult."

On Thursday afternoon, Transport Infrastructure Ireland said one lane on part of the M50 northbound was closed, and that those using the road should expect delays.

They added that there is a 10km (6 mile) tailback.

Details of traffic disruption across Ireland can be found on the TII website.

Dublin Airport advised passengers to allow extra time for their journey on while Translink said cross-border services were subject to delays and disruption.

Dublin Bus spokesperson Blake Boland told RTÉ that there was "absolutely massive disruption" again on Thursday morning.

The justice minister said the protesters need to know about "the damage that their actions are having on Irish people and Irish society".

"This damage is going to continue unless it ceases or it's stopped by An Garda Síochána and the defence forces," he added.

He added that protestors were being "manipulated" by "outside actors", some from the far-right.

On Wednesday, protesters blocked O'Connell Bridge in Dublin city on both sides, disrupting traffic on the capital's main thoroughfare and along the North and South Quays.

Protests have also taken place at various locations on main roads leading to the city, as well as near other large urban areas.

The conflict in the Middle East has caused rapid price rises for both petrol and diesel.

Some 20% of the world's oil trade, the raw ingredient for producing both petrol and diesel, has been halted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Prices in the Republic of Ireland have surged to about €2.14 (£1.86) a litre for diesel and roughly €1.91 (£1.66) a litre for petrol, with higher prices in some places.

The protests started on Tuesday morning.

An Garda Síochána said although they were peaceful, they were "causing significant disruption".

"An Garda Síochána have received reports of emergency workers being delayed or not being able to travel to their work, of people not being able to attend hospital appointments or visit loved ones who are ill," a spokesperson said.

Protesters said they wanted to meet the Irish government, but senior ministers said they had met national representative bodies and would continue to do so and "keep the situation under review".

The taoiseach, Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister of State Seán Canney met the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) on Wednesday.

The leaders said discussions were "constructive".

On Friday, Minister Martin Heydon and Minister of State Timmy Dooley will meet national representative bodies of contractors and farming organisations.