The protests over fuel costs

[Papercompany]

I support them ..they seem like decent, hard working people who are at the end of their tether. Threatening them (as the Guards Representative did earlier) is not the way forward.

Oh they so are doing it for their own political agendas sure not a hope they actually give a flying fuck about the actual current issue they cannot help themselves inciting hatred for every other thing they believe while the are at it. Once I hear rapey mcgregor approves of anything I know it is going the wrong way but not only a rapist but a man done for animal cruelty also. Lemons the lot of them.

And Katie Hopkins posted her support. Fuck off. What’s it got to do with her?

@Berlinlover I hope this is sorted soon for you and people in a similar position. Protest and free speech doesn't include stopping other citizens going about lawful business.
Good luck with your treatment.

I've seen posts saying that we are protesting the extinction of the Irish race and urging British people to follow our brave example. A lot of accounts seem to be based in Britain or even the US. The protesters have only themselves to blame for this mess. Their demands are incoherent. To be clear I didn't vote FFFG. But loads of people did and nobody voted for this Dallon person.

@eggandonion Thank you, it’s very stressful.

I’m so sorry. What a terrible situation for you.

I did have sympathy for them but I don’t anymore. They are holding the whole country to ransom and it’s affecting too many people too badly. So sorry you have to deal with this @Berlinlover.

What are they protesting for ?

For a reduction in the price of fuel.
For every euro spent on fuel at least 60 cent goes in tax .

I am worried that troublemakers will join their peaceful protest over the next day or two..

I really hope that a compromise can be reached. It would be very concerning if it goes onto next week.

People are being hurt by this (missed hospital appointments, carers not able to travel etc. etc). I don’t class that as peaceful, whatever the original intention.

Very sorry to hear. I hope you can switch off over the weekend.

I can’t believe this is still going on.
Speedy recovery @Hollyhobbi and i hope your daughter gets to work.

I follow the Muslim sisters of eire who managed to get through blockade last night and feed the homeless on O'Connell street which they have been doing for years. This is their report of last night:

We’ve spent the last 48 hours coordinating the logistics and prep work necessary to get our soup run stationed at the GPO. When we got to the top of O’Connell Street, the Guards wouldn’t allow us to go through, but after much persuasion, they escorted us with a patrol car up to the GPO. Given the current situation, we truly appreciate them assisting us despite having their hands full.

We arrived and were surprised that the queue was not as large as expected. When we got there, a lot of people thought that we wouldn’t be able to get through. Soon the word got out and the queue became much longer.
Everything went well; we had a lot of food and donations.

Tonight took a deeply upsetting turn. As we were finishing our service, we were approached by a group of five or six individuals carrying Irish flags. They began shouting xenophobic rhetoric, telling us this country is "only for the Irish," that we don't belong here, and that we should "go home."

In a beautiful show of solidarity, those around the GPO immediately spoke up, asserting that we are Irish. However, the situation turned hostile. Our Chairperson and founder was targeted with verbal abuse and told to "go back where she came from"—despite being from Coolock. It was clear that because she wears a hijab, her identity as an Irish woman was being questioned.

In 11 years of service, we have never experienced such verbal abuse. It was difficult to maintain the peace, but the homeless community—truly amazing people—stepped up to protect us. We are grateful that the situation eventually de-escalated and the Gardaí arrived to disperse the group.

Providing 300 meals to those in need only to be met with hate is sickening. But let it be known: we remain undeterred. We are united, and we will always be there for the less fortunate, regardless of their background. In Ireland, you don’t need an ID to receive a warm meal from a soup run.

These thugs and racists have no place on the main street in Dublin they can go back to whatever hole they climbed out of. Treating people, who are feeding the homeless, like this is disgusting. They are uncoordinated, no proper representation and seem to be doing what the hell they like. Power going to some of their thick heads

and thats bad because ?

It’s bad because prices have skyrocketed due to the war against Iran. People who use lots of fuel for their business, eg farmers and hauliers, especially can’t afford this. Some of them are in a desperate situation if prices continue to be high. They want the government to step in and reduce costs.

They’re making their point in a very aggressive way though, too aggressive imho. Beyond time to stop now. They’re harming others by their actions.

Been back in Dublin for the first time in a few years with DS to show him some sights and visit relatives. Walking 30mins to Stoneybatter to get buses. Seeing blokes protesting in high vis drinking cans in groups on O’Connell st. Blokes sitting in tractors with the engine running- if fuel is so fecking expensive why are you wasting it? I’d have sympathy if they look the train up and lay down on the street. But ambulances can’t get through, hospital appointments affected and people like myself inconvenienced. I don’t mind too much as I’m fit and can walk but not everyone can. Price of a taxi to the airport doubled from when I checked last week. I defend the right of anyone to protest but this is a stupid way of doing it that is clearly coordinated by some very dodgy people. If you look into the profiles of some of the spokesmen you have an individual saying Greta Thunberg should be raped, racists and criminal convictions like mentioned above. There probably are some genuinely hard up and worried people among them but it’s clear that there’s a fair portion of agitators. I live in London and we know these types well. It seems Tommy Robinson is involved. No good will come of it and I think the government won’t be able to give in too much as it’ll embolden them. No, I don’t support how they are going about this at all.

I really hope this gets sorted out today...I feel for the original protestors and hear their frustration but am worried that the protest will be hijacked by lunatics.

I saw there was a 'call out' for all Irish Travellers to join in today - this is very worrying. I saw videos of horses being ridden by Travellers on O'Connell Street last night. This is likely to descend into chaos and cost the country a fortune.

Saw several racing carriages actually in Dublin yesterday @Papercompany now I come to think of it. Don’t remember seeing that in Dublin before, more common down the country. Just been on one of the Facebook groups and the “protesters” are going to be gathering in towns all over the country tomorrow.

I met a local delivery man taking over the counter medication into a pharmacy...things like calpol. Our usual dpd delivery driver in work told us yesterday he had enough fuel to do Mondays run. A lot of delivery people are self employed so will be hit.
I listened to an interview on the radio...posh restaurant in West Cork. A big local employer finding it hard to get supplies. Customers cancelling due to travel issues. People not staying in local hotels because of travel issues.
Daughter due to travel next week to college to complete a health care course...probably can do it by public transport and taking an extra day out of work...which will knock on a waiting list to see her.

I think maybe it might start petering off when half of them have to collect their dole next week. It is a total sham at this point and the starting reason for the protests seems to have been totally taken over by the usual racist bigots instead. I am mortified to be Irish at this point.

Footfall and retail spend in Dublin and the shopping centres has dropped significantly this week apparently. Which is totally understandable as I wouldn't go out this weekend in case I got trapped for hours.
I expect this weekend to be crazy with loads more protests, but Easter holidays are over, school traffic and normal working life will resume. I assume all the protesters will drift away then. If not next week is going to get very heated.

Apparently our local supermarket is very busy. We have a big rural hinterland. Even if people aren't exactly panic buying toilet rolls they are presumably not wanting to make unnecessary journeys.

Thanks @deeahgwitch . Ironically my daughter says there are loads of Gardaí on O’Connell Street so she actually feels safe walking down it for once!

I live in one of the places of blockade.
Its a fucking disgrace. 90% of them are thugs and people who havent paid their taxes in years. Tiktokers are all over the place. Gangs of teenagers filming for the craic.
Not one ounce of support do i have.
And i have 5 vans that i cant put on the road on monday because of them. I know the price of fuel is crippling but i cls at least offset it witb paid work. Next week i have to pay wages and all other costs with no money made.
Ambulances stuck. Chemo patients stuck. Old people locked in their homes.
Utterly disgraceful.
Find another way.