WATCH: Motorway mayhem in Laois as trucks stop the M7 outside Portlaoise

The M7 Motorway is at a standstill between Junction 16 and Junction 17 in Portlaoise. 

Traffic is backed up into Portlaoise along the Abbeyleix Road into Portlaoise at the moment. 

"Portlaoise is at a standstill at the  moment in both directions," a Garda said this afternoon.

Gardaí are advising people to avoid the motorway and to expect delays. They are also advising motorists travelling from Dublin to  Cork or Limerick and vice versa to avoid Portlaoise and to try and find alternative routes. 

Gardaí say they have had limited interaction with some persons involved in publishing information about the 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,” they stated last night. 

They advised members of the public who are travelling on National Primary Routes to plan their journeys by leaving additional time for possible traffic disruptions and to expect traffic delays.