Trucks and tractors block O’Connell Street in the city center as protests continue for a third day against rising fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis, in central Dublin, April 9, 2026. (Photo by Paul Faith/AFP via Getty Images)
Paul Faith | Afp | Getty Images
Ireland’s fuel price protests enter fourth day, with three of country’s biggest demonstrations refineries and terminals blocked and traffic in Dublin paralyzed.
The protests were mainly provoked by farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs and truckers, unhappy with the government’s response to rising fuel prices since the start of the war in Iran.
However, recognized industry bodies, including the Irish Farmers’ Association and the Irish Road Haulage Association, are not involved.
Countries around the world are grappling with rising fuel prices due to conflict in the Middle East. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday that he “get fed up” see UK energy bills fluctuate due to US President’s actions Donald Trump and the Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Oil price were above their peaks Friday as shipping flows around the Strait of Hormuz remained severely restricted.
Fuel protesters block the highway outside Dundalk as protests continue for a third day against rising fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis across the country, April 9, 2026. (Photo by Paul Faith/AFP via Getty Images)
Paul Faith | Afp | Getty Images
The standoff in Ireland has seen petrol pumps dry up in public squares across the country, with protesters saying they will stay put until they secure a meeting with the government to air their grievances over what they claim is a lack of support from authorities.
The government has asked the country’s military to be ready to lift blockades at terminals and refineries. Taoiseach – the Irish leader – Micheál Martin described the protests as a “act of national sabotage”, adding that he cannot to understand the logic of blocking access to fuel in the midst of soaring prices.
The Irish government announced a 250 million euro ($293 million) package of measures in March to help households and businesses cope with soaring prices, including a reduction in excise duties on diesel and gasoline.
“We are going to get through this period of volatility. But, frankly, no one knows what the situation will be in a month’s time; we must remain flexible in our response,” Irish Finance Minister Simon Harris said at the time.
A man sits behind the wheel of a tractor as anti-fuel protesters block O’Connell Street in the center of the city as protests continue for a third day against rising fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis, in central Dublin on April 9, 2026. (Photo by Paul Faith/AFP via Getty Images)
Paul Faith | Afp | Getty Images
Government officials are due to meet with industry bodies on Friday to discuss the crisis, but Minister of Defense Helen McEntee confirmed that the protesters had not received an invitation.
To try to cope with the consequences of the energy shock, governments around the world Countries were quick to impose measures ranging from banning fuel exports to relaxing refining standards. The British government presented last month rules forcing developers to install heat pumps and solar panels in all new homes in England, while Greece has capped profit margins on fuel and supermarket products for three months.
