'People panic buying' as Laois service stations run low on fuel due to protest

Laois fuel stations are seeing panic buying by drivers due to the nationwide fuel blockages, with some only days away from running out.

The Leinster Express / Laois Live got the latest from stations in Portlaoise, Portarlington, Mountmellick, Emo and Ballacolla this Thursday, as tensions rise on the blockades and in the stations.

The Circle K Gandon Inn in Emo that serves M7 motorway traffic has confirmed that they expect to run out of diesel by Friday or Saturday.

"We are not setting a limit on sales," a spokesperson said.

The Corrib Oil station in Mountmellick however has set a €50 limit on fuel purchases per customer.

"People are being ridiculous, panic buying. Some people were filling thousands of litres. Our tanks are full enough, we will last another day or two. I've heard they are in big trouble in Offaly and Athlone," an employee said.

Kevin Bracken from Maxol service station on the Stradbally Road in Portlaoise said "when it's gone it's gone".

"Let there be no panic yet. We are relying on what we have in our tanks, we are not panicking. 

"The internet is fuelling this panic, people are getting spooked. 

"I had a woman this morning who filled her car with €90 of fuel, I asked her how long it will last, she told me three weeks. She is sitting on that fuel for three weeks. If the Iran ceasefire holds that fuel price will have dropped by 20% by then. 

"I remember the fuel shortage in the 70's, and we got through it then. There were queues all down the Stradbally road. It's not the end of the world. The problem is we are living in a world of hyperbole, everthing has to be the biggest, the worst crisis. People in Gaza are living through a crisis, we are not," he said.

Mr Bracken gave his opinion on the fuel protests that are causing the shortage in stations.

"It's just guys who like being on Twitter and Facebook spilling into the real world, thinking it's the same thing with no consequence. It's not the internet, these are huge trucks and tractors. There will be consequences. People will miss their medical appointments. Somebody will get hurt because they won't get to the hospital in time. 

"Multinationals will look at Ireland and say 'you haven't a Government that can control the basics, why would we build a factory with thousands of jobs?'," Kevin Bracken warned.

Circle K in Ballacolla on the M8 Motorway say they are still getting deliveries of fuel.

"We got one yesterday and are expecting another tonight. It is very busy for fuel sales, there is no panic yet anyway," they report.

Read next: Irish Road Hauliers Association not taking part in protest during negotiations

Downey's Texaco station in Portlaoise say they have "big tanks".

"It is hard to say as there is a big variation in sales, but I think we will get through to next week," the shop reports.

The Maxol station in Portarlington reports "our deliveries are still going well", with "a good supply left".

Portlaoise Plaza said it is "business as usual". In a social media post they said: "We are fully stocked with fuel reserves to give you peace of mind in Portlaoise."