Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 10, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 10, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleIrish PM Micheál Martin warns that ongoing fuel protests—now in their fourth day—have created a “very severe” situation, with blockades at ports, depots and the Whitegate refinery leading to hundreds of petrol stations running dry and risking economic damage. Authorities prepare enforcement while pr
DUBLIN, April 10 (Reuters) - Protesters in Ireland demanding government action on surging fuel prices used tractors and trucks to block a port, fuel terminal and oil refinery for a fourth day on Friday, prompting the prime minister to warn the country may have to turn away fuel deliveries.
Blockades of Irish oil infrastructure, triggered by a more than 20% rise in diesel prices since the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran war, have created a very severe situation that will damage the economy, Micheal Martin said on Friday.
Industry group Fuels for Ireland said more than 100 petrol stations had run out of fuel and that number could rise to 500 by tonight.
"The situation is very severe now. I don't think people out there perhaps realise the gravity of the situation," Martin told RTE in an interview.
"We are now on the precipice of turning oil away from the country," he said, citing a tanker that was unable to unload at Galway Port and a halt in refining at the Whitegate oil refinery near Cork.
"It is unconscionable, it is illogical, it is difficult to comprehend."
Martin said the police and army were on standby to help clear the protests if necessary and said that "very clearly the law will be upheld." But he also called for dialogue to resolve the issue.
Delivery firm DPD said it was suspending services in Ireland on Saturday due to the protests.
The government last month announced a 250 million euro ($293.2 million) package to temporarily cut taxes on petrol and diesel to cushion the knock-on cost of the Middle East conflict, but protesters have called for stronger measures, including a price cap.
($1 = 0.8528 euros)
(Writing by Conor Humphries)
Protesters are demanding government action in response to surging fuel prices, which have risen over 20% since the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran war.
Over 100 petrol stations had run out of fuel, blockades halted oil deliveries and refining, and delivery firms have suspended services.
The government has the police and army on standby to clear protests if necessary, and has called for dialogue, while also upholding the law.
A 250 million euro package was announced to temporarily cut taxes on petrol and diesel, but protesters demand stronger actions such as a price cap.
Key sites affected include Galway Port and the Whitegate oil refinery near Cork.
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