Gardaí say they've moved to an enforcement phase in dealing with fuel protests, which are now being described as blockades.

An Garda Siochana is calling on demonstrators to stand down and stop blocking critical infrastructure.

Deputy Commissioner, Policing Operations with An Garda Siochana, Shawna Coxon, said they are now moving to an 'enforcement' phase in dealing with the ongoing demonstrations.

"These are no longer protests, they are blockades. This is not tolerable and is against the law.

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

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

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

08/04/2026 Dublin, Ireland. Traffic chaos on the south quays in Dublin as tractors and Heavy Goods Vehicles stayed in the city overnight following yesterday's fuel protest. Buses and the Green Luas line have been disrupted. Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie

Slow moving convoys and road blocks have been organised around the country for a third day, with demonstrators calling for the Government to reduce taxes on fuel.

A request has been made for help from the Defence Forces to remove large vehicles, should it be needed.

Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan is calling for owners of vehicles blocking roads to remove them immediately, and is warning people not to complain if their vehicle is later damaged during removal.

08/04/2026 Portlaoise, Co. Laois, Ireland. Drivers wait by their vehicles on the Dublin exit from junction 17 on the M7 motorway outside Portlaoise, as part of a nationwide protest against rising fuel costs. Photograph: Eamonn Farrell / © RollingNews.ie

Taoiseach Micheál Martin, has described the blockading of the Irving Oil refinery in Whitegate in east Cork as an ‘act of national sabotage’ and an ‘outrage’.

Meanwhile, Fianna Fail MEP Billy Kelleher has said the Government should meet with the protesters.

" I think if in the event of there being just a group of people that were accepted as the leadership of this particular protest group, that they could come together".