Protesters caused gridlock around Dublin city centre and delays were reported in many other locations around the country for a second day as farmers and hauliers protest over rising fuel costs caused by the war in Iran.
Several tractors were parked along Dublin's O'Connell Street and buses were abandoned on O'Connell Bridge, as farmers and hauliers blocked the busy routes.
Protesters say they want to meet with the Government, but senior ministers say they will, and have, met with nationally representative bodies.
One organiser of the protest in Dublin, John Dallon, a farmer from Castledermot in Co Kildare, said he hoped the dispute could be resolved through the Government committing to meeting him and two other participants.
"We're actually in pure limbo now, that's the only way I can put it."
"We'll be here tonight, and I'd say they'll be here tomorrow."
Among the things he said protesters are calling for were price caps on white diesel, kerosene and petrol.
They also want carbon tax to be removed or paused for six months.
"If Government is not willing to come out, there's no problem staying here. So like, I mean, it's up to them," Mr Dallon said.
The protesters say an email detailing the names of negotiators has been sent to the Tánaiste's office.
In the meantime, the protesters say this nationwide action will continue.
Mr Dallon said he had "no bearing over" the other participants but added: "These people are not going to lie down.
"The only way they will go off of the streets here is if we send a message back to them that we have a meeting, then there's a good chance that people will go home.
"But, I mean, if there's no satisfaction out of the meeting, I'd say it'll all heat up again."
There were similar protests at more than 20 other locations across the country, protesters said.
Going nowhere - tractors parked on M7 motorway on the outskirts of Limerick. These belong to agricultural contractors from Tipperary who joined the protest this morning. pic.twitter.com/RMjcNa5rHv
— Petula Martyn (@petulamartyn) April 8, 2026
He said there was a risk to supplies to petrol forecourts as a result.
Passengers, please be advised Green Line services are currently not operating between St. Stephen's Green and Dominick. Services are operating between Broombridge and Dominick and between St. Stephen's Green and Brides Glen only. This is due to a protest at O'Connell Bridge. We…
— Luas (@Luas) April 8, 2026
In a post on X, An Garda Síochána said a number of locations across the country are still affected including in Dublin city centre, Cork and Sligo.
Gardaí say the protests impacted traffic on a number of major roads such as the M7 and N18 in Limerick, the M50 north in Dublin, the N6 at Athlone, the M8 at Cashel, the M18 at Ennis, the N52 at Tullamore and the M7 at Portlaoise.
Dublin Airport said earlier it was not directly impacted, though public transport to the airport was being affected by the city centre disruption and on the M50.
Dublin Bus said that there was "very significant disruption" and diversions were in place as access to O'Connell Street remains blocked in both directions.
It said protestors were blocking bus diversions on Eden Quay and Fleet Street, creating further issues, particularly on the E Spine, F Spine, 1, 11, 19, 23 and 24 routes. It advised commuters to give extra time to plan their journeys as the situation continues to evolve.
Following a meeting with the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister of State at the Department of Transport Seán Canney described the discussion as "wide ranging" and "constructive".
The leaders confirmed the Government will continue to engage with the IRHA on the impact of the ongoing war on the cost of fuel.
They said that the Government acknowledges the central role the haulage industry plays in the Irish economy and will keep the situation under review.
Watch: Laura Fletcher reports on the latest developments from dublin city centre
Earlier, the Taoiseach Micheál Martin said it was not acceptable to threaten to turn O'Connell Street into a car park, saying that people with businesses were being impacted.
Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has warned those protesting against high fuel prices that no one is above the law and that those breaking it should know there are consequences.
The Minister today met with gardaí earlier and informed them it is essential that ports and fuel depots remain open and fully accessible.
📢 Passenger Advisory - 4:30pm:
— Dublin Airport (@DublinAirport) April 8, 2026
Passengers travelling to and from Dublin Airport this evening are advised to allow extra time for their journey due to the current protest activity causing traffic disruption on the M50. Passengers due to travel via the M50 are advised to take…
Asked this afternoon if protesters blocking fuel depots should be arrested, the Taoiseach said that was a matter for gardaí.
Ministers have said last month's €250 million support package was generous and that it remained under review, but the Taoiseach ruled out any additional short-term measures.
Mr O'Callaghan said that the protests were wrong and were now damaging the Irish public.
Unacceptable to turn O'Connell Street into a car park - Taoiseach
Tánaiste Simon Harris said there was an adequate supply of fuel in the country, and even if there were some small challenges, they would be dealt with by the laws of the land without fear or favour.
Mr Harris said he expected fuel prices to fall soon, and that the ceasefire agreed last night between Iran and the US had averted a more difficult conversation this morning.
Good meeting today with the Irish Road Haulage Association. Constructive discussion on the real pressures hauliers are facing with fuel costs.
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) April 8, 2026
Our statement ⬇️ 1/2 pic.twitter.com/Uz27QVYPfM
There is currently a convoy of around 20 vehicles blocking the fuel depot at Galway docks.
Hauliers said there would be "no oil in or out of Galway" until the Government acts on prices.
Asked whether the protests at fuel depots would be cleared, the Taoiseach said they will have to be.
Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said: "I think some of the protests we've seen today are completely unacceptable and irresponsible.
"They're undermining business in our city and across the country."
Responding to reports demonstrators have blocked a fuel terminal, he said that the action was "reckless in the extreme, and they should stand down their protest".
Colm Walsh, a timber haulier, said protesters support the protest outside the fuel depot in Foynes in Limerick.
He said the price of diesel is "crippling" hauliers "and funding the government at our expense".
"So we have to support them lads, we wouldn't for a second go against them."
A number of agricultural contractors drove their tractors onto the motorway to join the protest this morning, including Kelum Harrington from Nenagh, Tipperary.
"Diesel is crippling us, " he said.
"We can’t afford to stay going and we’re going to go bust."
The protesters say they do not want to block traffic and that they are apologetic to the public who have been inconvenienced by their actions.
'If the Government don't back down, we're staying here' - say M7 protesters
Additional reporting: Petula Martyn, Kate Egan, Teresa Mannion, Juliette Gash, Jennie O'Sullivan, Laura Fletcher, PA
