Video: Ireland has deployed the army to disperse protesters and reopen ports
The Irish government has deployed the military to reopen key ports that were blocked by protesters over rising fuel prices.
This was reported by Politico.
The blockades were organized by truckers and farmers, who have been blocking access to strategic ports, including Foynes and Weygate, for two days. Fuel and essential chemicals enter the country through these ports.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan stated that the government was forced to take this step after prolonged blockades.
The scene in Ballyneety, Limerick. A cavalcade of army tanks making its way through the village this Thursday morning pic.twitter.com/1JJ6L0H0b9
— Limerick Leader / Limerick Live (@Limerick_Leader) April 9, 2026
Prime Minister Micheál Martin emphasized that the government did not want to involve the army, but had no other choice when protesters blocked critical infrastructure.
The protests began due to a sharp rise in fuel prices. Participants are demanding expanded tax breaks on gasoline and diesel and are threatening to continue the blockades.
In case you are unaware, tens of thousands of farmers, truck drivers, bus drivers, and delivery drivers are protesting fuel prices across Ireland this week.
The Irish have had enough and are fighting back.
Follow us for video updates and share pic.twitter.com/KltGl3OO9x— TheLiberal.ie (@TheLiberal_ie) April 8, 2026
At the same time, the government has refused to negotiate, stating that the protesters do not represent official industry organizations and are attempting to exert pressure.
The decision to deploy the military has already drawn criticism from the opposition, which accused the government of taking excessive measures.
Large-scale protests swept across Ireland on Thursday, April 9, due to the rapid rise in energy prices amid the conflict in the Middle East.
