Irish protesters have been blocking the Whitegate oil refinery in County Cork and fuel depots in Limerick and Galway for the fifth day, the BBC reports on the situation. The organization Fuel for Ireland, which represents oil importers and distributors, said that if this blockade continues, two-thirds of Irish gas stations will be without fuel by Saturday midnight.
Another significant blockade is taking place in the village of Kilrane near Rosslare harbour. The latter may soon have to refuse incoming ships due to overcrowding. This means that Ireland could reach a point during the ongoing global oil crisis in the coming days when it will have to send oil away from its shores.
Meanwhile, the Irish government has announced that it is finalizing the fuel support package after constructive talks with representatives of the agricultural and trucking sectors. However, Irish Finance Minister Simon Harris told the protesters at the same time that the blockade must end.
On Saturday afternoon, the Irish police, as part of an operation supported by the Irish armed forces, pushed back the protesters blocking the Whitegate refinery with the help of pepper sprays. The goal of the operation is to gain access to the refinery and restore fuel supplies so that “key public services, including ambulances and the fire service” are not taken out of operation.
