'Good to see people stand together' - Donegal offers solidarity to fuel protesters

There was “a massive turnout” for a slow-vehicle protest that took place in Donegal on Thursday evening.

The protest took place on the 20km stretch from Bridgend to Manorcunningham in solidarity with fuel protesters in Dublin and was organised by Joey Lyle from Lyle Agri in Moville and assisted by Mark Hegarty, a Burt native residing in Bridgend.

“We never expected so many to come and show their support,” Mark tells DonegalLive. “A lot of people in the north-west wouldn’t have been in a position to make it as far as Dublin, where there have been protests, so we wanted to show our support locally. There was a massive turnout. It's good to see people stand together."

The return trip ordinarily would take 30 minutes, but on Thursday, having set off at 7pm, some of the protesters didn’t make it back to Bridgend until well after 10pm.

The front of the cavalcade had made it past Newtowncunningham, whilst those at the rear had still to depart Bridgend, with the traffic line taking almost 45 minutes. An Garda Síochána, who were notified of the event beforehand, observed the peaceful protest, with traffic so heavy that it was later decided to continue the protest into the Dry Arch Roundabout in Letterkenny. 

Mark admits the protest was hastily arranged, following the government's decision to call in the army to remove heavy vehicles blocking fuel depots.

“We feel as though the government turned its back on the people of Ireland by calling in the army,” Mark adds. 

“They should not have done that. At the moment, everyone is suffering because of this. It’s not a matter of left or right; we’re all suffering. We emphasised that the intention was not to block the roads and to make sure that those who needed to pass, like ambulances, etc., got past. 

Many stations are currently charging around €1.90 for unleaded and €2.10 for diesel, compared to €1.73 for unleaded and €1.72 for diesel in February. Home heating oil rose from €500 for 500 litres before the conflict to €900 today.

"The protests are now being blamed when the fact is there is now a reluctance to purchase, as the ceasefire means that production will drop, so suppliers are holding off," Mark adds. 

The Government is now set to meet with representative groups of farmers, agricultural contractors and the haulage industry later today to discuss the ongoing crisis. The protesters say they want the carbon tax on green diesel removed and the price of fuel capped.

Donegal TD Padraig MacLochlainn of Sinn Féin, who was one of those who attended the protest and in Bridgend before the announcement of the meeting was confirmed, said: “You can see his huge response here all around us,” he said. “[Taoiseach] Michéal Martin needs to get off his high horse, and he needs to engage with these affected farmers, hauliers, school bus transport operators, homeowners, and people who have been affected by this crisis. They haven't gone far enough, they haven't listened, and they need to stop threatening people and need to act.

“I'm proud to stand with these ordinary hard-working people here in Bridgend. They're heading for Manorcunningham, and I'm proud to stand with them. Michéal Martin, get off your high horse and start to stand by these people and come up with a response that fits their needs.”