Motorists across Ireland are facing significant delays this morning as protests against soaring fuel prices got underway, prompting warnings from Gardai.
An Garda Siochana issued an alert on social media platform X, advising the public of slow-moving convoys impacting several key motorways. These include the M7 and M4 in County Kildare, the M7 in County Limerick, the M8 in County Offaly, the M3 in County Meath, and the M6 in County Galway.
They say drivers should “plan their journeys accordingly”.
On Monday, Gardai warned the protest could lead to “significant” traffic disruption.
Gardai say they have had “limited interaction” with the protest organisers.
They said: “As the majority of the organisation of these convoys is taking place on social media platforms and messaging apps, An Garda Siochana is not in a position to provide accurate or detailed advice to the general public at this time.”
Posts on social media said convoys of vehicles, including HGVs, agricultural and plant vehicles, would gather at various locations across the country before travelling along major travel routes.
The messages say the plan is for some of the convoys to remain in regional locations and some of them to converge in Dublin city centre.
Gardai have had no role in permitting or authorising public gatherings or protests, but there is no permit required in order to organise any protest.
The price of oil moved higher on Tuesday amid caution from investors ahead of Donald Trump’s deadline for Iran to agree to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The US president has threatened to launch a major attack on Iranian infrastructure if a ceasefire deal is not reached by 1am UK time on Wednesday.
Global financial markets were tentative ahead of the deadline as a result.
The price of Brent crude oil increased by around 1.5% to 111.4 US dollars a barrel in early trading.
It is around 53% higher than before the conflict started at the end of February, and has resulted in sharp increases in petrol and diesel costs as a result.
Traders are still hopeful a diplomatic breakthrough can be secured but have seen little headway from recent peace talks.
In London, the FTSE 100 opened a touch higher but quickly swung into the red. It was down 0.1% at 10,426.05 points shortly before 9am.
Elsewhere, the German Dax index was down 0.2% while the French Cac 40 was up 0.4% in early trading.
