DUBLIN, April 11 – Law enforcement officials in Ireland took steps Saturday to disperse demonstrators who had been blocking access to the nation’s sole oil refinery, following government warnings that the fuel price protests posed serious economic risks to the country.
The demonstrators, frustrated by diesel price increases exceeding 20% since the start of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, had deployed tractors and trucks to obstruct operations at the Whitegate refinery, along with two ports, a fuel terminal, and several roadways in Dublin.
Government officials reported that hundreds of gas stations across the country were left without fuel supplies, putting some emergency services at risk.
At the Whitegate facility on Saturday, law enforcement officers arrested at least one demonstrator, moved others away from the site, and brought in specialized equipment capable of relocating large vehicles, according to video from state broadcaster RTE.
Authorities shared footage on social media platforms showing multiple oil tankers successfully entering the refinery grounds.
The enforcement action followed statements from Finance Minister Simon Harris, who characterized the demonstrations as creating an extremely dangerous economic situation. On Friday, Prime Minister Micheal Martin warned that the nation faced the possibility of having to reject incoming oil shipments.
