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30 Dec 2025
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30 Dec 2025
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The protest will include a tractor and vehicle cavalcade around the town, crossing the river Shannon. (Pictured) A 2024 tractor protest in Portlaoise over Mercosur.
A national protest against the Mercosur trade deal is taking place in Athlone, County Westmeath on Saturday, January 10 at 11am.
Local MEP Ciaran Mullooly, together with Michael Fitzmaurice TD, and with the backing of major farming organisations, have called for a National Rally to send a clear and unified message to the Coalition Government that: Irish farmers and farm families say 'No to Mercosur'.
The protest will include a tractor and vehicle cavalcade around the town, crossing the river Shannon and ending in a rally in the indoor sports arena at the Technological University of The Shannon (formerly AIT - Athlone Regional Technical College) on the old Dublin road.
Stewards will be on attendance on all approach roads to the town. All vehicles will be asked to park up on holding areas on the approach routes until the protest begins.
Independent Ireland MEP Mullooly said, "With the start of 2026, political pressure is mounting on the Coalition Government over its position on the EU–Mercosur trade agreement, which is now entering its final ratification stage.
"The Programme for Government contains a clear commitment to oppose the Mercosur deal. That position is coming under renewed scrutiny now as France leads a growing coalition of EU member states campaigning to block the agreement."
In the European Parliament, opposition is also hardening according to Mullooly. "Many Irish MEPs have now publicly stated they will vote against Mercosur, following the recent and powerful farmers’ protests in Brussels", he stated.
Plans for the rally are well advanced and large crowds, reflecting the depth of anger and concern across rural Ireland, are expected. Mullooly concluded, "the message from the farming community is unequivocal - this deal must be stopped."
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