An Garda Síochána have confirmed that they are moving into an ‘enforcement phase’ as fuel protests gripped the country.
“These blockades are putting at risk supplies of food, fuel, clean water and animal feed. These are critical for the nation and its people. This is not tolerable and is against the law,” Deputy Commissioner, Policing Operations, Shawna Coxon has said.
Speaking today, Deputy Commissioner Coxon added: “Over the last two days, An Garda Síochána has engaged extensively with those taking part in fuel protests across the country to facilitate peaceful protest while protecting public safety.
In line with our tradition of policing by consent, An Garda Síochána has been operating on the basis of the 4Es – Engage, Explain, Encourage and Enforce.
Yesterday, we advised protestors that they were severely impacting on the lives of people, particularly emergency workers, those who need to attend hospital, and workers.”
“Despite our significant and prolonged engagement, which has included explaining and encouraging protestors to facilitate free movement of traffic, it is clear that some people have significantly escalated an already difficult situation by targeting critical infrastructure such as fuel depots and refineries.
These are no longer protests, they are blockades,” the Deputy Commissioner said.
“The wilful obstruction of public roads and the movement of vehicles and persons are offences under various statutes including the Public Order Act and Road Traffic Acts.
As part of our well-established graduated policing response in dealing with protests, An Garda Síochána is now moving to an enforcement phase in relation to those impacting on critical infrastructure unless they desist and disperse from these blockades.
An Garda Síochána is advising protestors to immediately cease blockades of such critical infrastructure or face the full rigours of the law,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, and the CEO of the Health Service Executive, Anne O’Connor, have today called for all approaches to medical facilities to be kept clear for emergency service access, for patients attending medical appointments and to ensure staff- including those who work in hospitals and those treating people in their homes or in community settings – can get to work and treat their patients.
Attending hospital or receiving treatment in the community, whether in an emergency situation or for a routine appointment, is a vulnerable time for a patient and their family. Please respect the critical need for clear and safe access to all healthcare services, to ensure that access to care is never compromised.