Details of Mayo fuel protest are confirmed as gardaí issue statement
Castlebar is now confirmed as the main Mayo meeting point for the national fuel protest tomorrow (Tuesday), with convoys feeding in from all surrounding towns within half an hour.
MAIN MAYO GATHERING POINT
Circle K Express Castlebar, Moneen
Meet: 8:00 a.m.
Move off: 8:30 a.m.
Arrival: Castlebar Town Centre 9:00 a.m.
FEEDER CONVOYS INTO CASTLEBAR
Westport / Newport side – Meet 7:45 a.m.
Ballinrobe / Partry side – Meet 7:45 a.m.
Claremorris side – Meet 7:45 a.m.
Foxford / Swinford side – Meet 7:45 a.m.
Ballyhaunis / Knock side – join Claremorris convoy, meet 7:30–7:45 a.m.
FINAL DESTINATION
Castle Street / Mill Lane / town centre parking areas
Vehicles can park up for the day while supporters gather around The Mall and Main Street.
Please obey marshals, keep lane discipline, and keep emergency access routes clear at all times.
"Mayo is now standing with the rest of the country," a spokesperson stated.
"Enough is enough."
Statement by An Garda Siochána
An Garda Síochána is aware of proposals for vehicle gatherings, and associated public activity, at various locations around the country from early tomorrow morning.
An Garda Síochána understands it is proposed that convoys of vehicles (including HGVs, agricultural and plant vehicles) will gather at various locations across the country. It is understood that the proposed convoys, potentially slow moving, will travel primarily along National Primary Routes.
It is proposed that some of these convoys will remain in regional locations, and some will travel to Dublin to congregate in the Dublin region.
If the convoys materialise and congregate, it is expected that there will be significant additional traffic, including slow-moving vehicles, on the main arteries leading to Dublin and in the vicinity of large urban areas across the country from 0800hrs.
An Garda Síochána has had limited interaction with some persons involved in publishing information about these convoys.
As the majority of the organisation of these convoys is taking place on social media platforms and messaging apps, An Garda Síochána is not in a position to provide accurate or detailed advice to the general public at this time.
Members of the public travelling on National Primary Routes tomorrow are advised to plan their journeys by ensuring they leave additional time for possible traffic disruptions and to expect traffic delays, if congestion is caused as a result of these convoys.
An Garda Síochána will provide updates, where possible by the Garda Press Office, if appropriate and required, via:
• Press releases
• Garda social media channels
An Garda Síochána respects the right of citizens to exercise their constitutional rights, subject to statutory provisions.
While An Garda Síochána facilitates peaceful protest, An Garda Síochána must also balance and protect the rights of individuals to travel freely and commercial organisations to conduct business.
Any garda activity in relation to evolving events involves a graduated policing response taking into account relevant legislation and public safety."
Statement from the chair of the Coach Tourism and Transport Council of Ireland, David Conway
The Coach Tourism and Transport Council (CTTC) acknowledges tomorrow’s protest held in relation to the escalating cost of fuel, caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East, and the broader financial strain being experienced across the transport sector.
There is no doubt that bus and coach operators are facing sustained and serious cost pressures, and are dealing with a very challenging operating environment.
That said, the CTTC is not involved in the planning or coordination of this protest and we will not be taking part in it. We would ask protestors to keep bus lanes clear so that buses and coaches can move freely around the country and help keep Ireland moving.
Our efforts remain firmly directed towards working with government, in particular the Department of Finance, and the Department of Transport, to seek practical measures that will assist our members during this period of exceptional cost inflation.
We recently held constructive discussions with the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, and further engagement is expected in the short term. These discussions are important, and we are continuing to make the case for targeted supports to help coach and bus operators manage the impact of rising fuel and operating costs.
It is the CTTC’s objective to ensure that the voice of the coach and bus sector is heard clearly. We are committed to ensuring that the necessary supports are put in place to protect scheduled services, school transport and coach tourism services, and the viability of operators.
The CTTC will continue to advocate strongly on behalf of its members, at the highest levels of government, and pursue measures that respond to current cost challenges, while supporting the continued delivery of essential passenger transport services across the country.