Ireland experienced widespread fuel and transport disruption following a wave of nationwide protests over rising fuel costs.

The action, involving farmers, hauliers and agricultural contractors, entered its fourth day on Friday, 10 April, where protesters used tractors and trucks to obstruct key infrastructure, including ports and major roads.

Reuters reported that a port, fuel terminal and refinery were blocked for a fourth consecutive day, prompting warnings from the Irish government about the potential impact on fuel supply.

The protests were linked to a rise of more than 20% in diesel prices, which demonstrators cited as the trigger for the action.

By Sunday, 13 April, Irish police had cleared tractors and trucks blocking traffic and oil infrastructure nationwide.

Authorities removed vehicles obstructing access to Ireland’s only oil refinery on Saturday, cleared a blockade at Galway Port, and dismantled roadblocks in Dublin on Sunday.

Despite the clearances, the protests had caused severe disruption in Dublin and left around one-third of Ireland’s petrol stations without fuel.

Kuehne+Nagel highlighted potential impact, causing port and hinterland delays, disrupting container flows and equipment positioning, and schedule unreliability for domestic collections and deliveries of containers.

To respond to the protests, the government announced a €500 million package of spending increases and tax cuts to ease pressure on consumers and businesses.

Measures included a 10-cent per litre reduction in diesel and petrol, a delay to a planned carbon tax increase, and the introduction of fuel subsidy support for farming and fisheries.