Gardaí warn fuel protesters will face 'full rigours of the law'

Gardaí have warned that fuel protesters will "face the full rigours of the law". 

Speaking outside Garda headquarters in the Phoenix Park, Deputy Commissioner, Policing Operations, Shawna Coxon said the protests have become "blockades". 

Deputy Commissioner Coxon said "despite our significant and prolonged engagement, which has included explaining and encouraging protestors to facilitate free movement of traffic, it is clear that some people have significantly escalated an already difficult situation by targeting critical infrastructure such as fuel depots and refineries". 

"These are no longer protests, they are blockades.

These blockades are putting at risk supplies of food, fuel, clean water and animal feed. These are critical for the nation and its people.

This is not tolerable and is against the law.

The wilful obstruction of public roads and the movement of vehicles and persons are offences under various statutes including the Public Order Act and Road Traffic Acts.

As part of our well-established graduated policing response in dealing with protests, An Garda Síochána is now moving to an enforcement phase in relation to those impacting on critical infrastructure unless they desist and disperse from these blockades.

An Garda Síochána is advising protestors to immediately cease blockades of such critical infrastructure or face the full rigours of the law."