Gardaí say fuel protests blocking critical supplies are ‘blockades’ and ‘against the law’

An Garda Síochána has advised protestors to 'immediately cease blockades' of critical infrastructure or 'face the full rigours of the law'.

Speaking today (Tuesday, 9 April), Deputy Commissioner of Policing Operations, Shawna Coxon, said that Gardaí have engaged extensively with those taking part in fuel protests over the last two days to "faciliate peaceful protest while protecting public safety".

She also stated that An Garda Síochána has been operating "on the basis of the 4Es: Engage, Explain, Encourage and Enforce".

"Yesterday, we advised protestors that they were severely impacting on the lives of people, particularly emergency workers, those who need to attend hospital, and workers," Coxon added.

"Despite our significant and prolonged engagement, which has included explaining and encouraging protestors to facilitate free movement of traffic, it is clear that some people have significantly escalated an already difficult situation by targeting critical infrastructure such as fuel depots and refineries.

"These are no longer protests, they are blockades. These blockades are putting at risk supplies of food, fuel, clean water and animal feed. These are critical for the nation and its people.

"This is not tolerable and is against the law.

"The wilful obstruction of public roads and the movement of vehicles and persons are offences under various statutes, including the Public Order Act and Road Traffic Acts.

"As part of our well-established graduated policing response in dealing with protests, An Garda Síochána is now moving to an enforcement phase in relation to those impacting on critical infrastructure unless they desist and disperse from these blockades."

An Garda Síochána is now advising protestors to "immediately cease blockades of such critical infrastructure or face the full rigours of the law".

Coxon's comments come as the Irish Defence Forces have been called in to assist Gardaí in removing vehicles blocking "critical national infrastructure" amid the fuel protests.

A statement on the Irish Government's website reads: "The Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has confirmed that it is well established in law that the Defence Forces may assist An Garda Síochána in aid to the civil power, when requested and when required.

"The blocking of critical national infrastructure will not be permitted to continue, and the assistance of the Defence Forces has been requested.

"Large vehicles blocking critical infrastructure will be removed. Owners of those vehicles should remove them immediately this morning and should not complain later about any damage caused to those vehicles during removal.

"Denying people access to fuel and clean water is an unacceptable interference in the most basic of human rights."

In a statement to JOE, a Defence Forces spokesperson said: "The Defence Forces can confirm that assistance has been requested from An Garda Siochána in the form of heavy vehicle recovery.

"As this operation is ongoing, we will not provide further comment until it is concluded.

"The Defence Forces are aware of images circulating of MOWAG Armoured Personnel Carriers in convoy. We can confirm that these are the personnel of the 128th Infantry Battalion conducting mission readiness exercises ahead of deployment to UNIFIL next month."

Main image via Rolling News