A still from a video, which has been widely shared on the social media, of the shocking incident
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23 Mar 2026
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23 Mar 2026
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McMorrow Haulage in Dowra
A Leitrim haulier has spoken out after it was revealed that hauliers are set to receive relief on fuel excise duties and an enhanced diesel rebate scheme under plans to be announced by the Government next week.
It comes after the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) met with transport minister Darragh O’Brien last week with promises made at the meeting that “substantial supports” for the industry would be announced after next Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.
Leitrim haulier, Gerry McMorrow, who is transport director of McMorrow Haulage in Dowra, told the Leitrim Observer: "At this stage, everything would be a help. The diesel has increased by 45c a litre since this started. Some of the companies we work for have been very good and have met us and given us fuel variation relief measures. There are some companies that haven't and are not in a position to because it has far reaching implications for our economy and for the world's economy."
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It is believed that IRHA met with officials from the Department of Transport over the weekend to “work out the finer details of those supports”, which will include relief on excise duties on fuel and an enhanced diesel rebate scheme for hauliers.
These will be enacted in the Dáil on Tuesday next but will be reviewed every two weeks for the duration of the crisis in the Middle East.
Mr McMorrow continued: "We would be very hopeful they can see the implications for the economy and whatever they give, will address the problems that we are having with the increases in fuel. What we were happy about with the meeting the IRHA had with the government, was that the government seemed to give them a good hearing and what they verbally promised is that they would come back to them with something that would address the problem. Also, that they will follow up with fortnightly meetings until this crisis is over."
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He said that haulage companies were "waiting until tomorrow and fingers crossed that it will help this issue and that it will happen really quickly. Another haulier rang me this morning that had a concern that they way the rebate - if it is a rebate - is being done, that it will happen quickly. We presently have a fuel rebate which is called the Diesel Rebate Scheme and it's 7.5c a litre but getting the money back takes so long. The problem we have with fuel now is that cash flow is getting very hard and people are in immediate need of help. They need it and the they need it now."
The supports for hauliers will be part of a wider support package that will be announced on Tuesday.
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