Severe traffic delays in Dublin city centre as tractor protest shuts down roads

Dublin is at a standstill.

Protesting farmers seeking a sit-down with Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed have blocked several streets in Dublin city centre this evening. The protest began earlier on Tuesday when as many as 100 tractors travelled from various parts of the country to Leinster House. The group is comprised of dozens of individual farmers seeking better prices for agricultural produce, as well as more attention for what they believe is a crisis in Ireland's agricultural sector. AA Roadwatch has reported "very heavy traffic in the city centre," and has confirmed that the road remains closed between Nassau St and Molesworth St in order to facilitate the demonstration. The Dublin City Council Traffic Management Centre has noted that delays are particularly bad at Stephen's Green, Wexford St., Aungier St. and Leeson St. Dublin Bus has also published a list of diversions for several of its routes that are in place for as long as the city streets are impacted by the protest. Routes 25/a/b, 26, 66/a/b and 67 Towards Merrion Square Normal route to Lincoln Place, divert left via Westland Row, Pearse Street and terminate. Towards Lucan Depart from Pearse St. and back on to normal route. Routes 37, 39/a and 70 Towards Baggot Street Normal route to Nassau Street, divert via Merrion Square, Baggot Street and back on to normal route. Blanchardstown, Damastown and Dunboyne Normal route to Baggot Street, Leeson St. divert via Merrion Square, Clare Street and back on to normal route. Routes 44 and 61 Towards Enniskerry and Whitechurch Normal route. Towards DCU and Eden Quay Normal route to Earlsfort Terrace, divert via Merrion Row, Merrion Square West and back on to normal route Routes 46a and 155 Towards Dun Laoghaire and Bray Normal route to Nassau Street, divert via Merrion Square, Ely Place, Hume Street, St. Stephen's Green and back on to normal route. Towards Phoenix Park and IKEA Normal route. Route 145 Towards Ballywaltrim Normal route to Nassau Street, divert via Merrion Square, Ely Place, Hume Street, St. Stephen's Green and back on to normal route. Towards Heuston Station Normal route to St. Stephen's Green, divert via Merrion Row to Merrion Square back on to normal route.