M7 through Laois reopens after Portlaoise fuel protest blockade lifted

Laois Gardaí say the M7 has been successfully reopened in Laois with the standing down of the major motorway fuel protest at the Junction 17 Togher roundabout in Portlaoise on the route that links Dublin, Cork, and Limerick cities.

Gardaí updated the Leinster Express / Laois Live following the striking of an agreement with protestors on Sunday, as talks were concluding in Dublin, which have resulted in a €500 million package of Government measures to alleviate the impact of the Iran war on fuel costs in Ireland.

A Garda spokesperson confirmed at 8.45 pm that the Portlaoise protest, which involved north and south-bound blockades, had been "completely stood down" and protestors had left the area. He added that the M7 was flowing in both directions and the J17 exit and entry ramps were once again open. 

The agreement to end the protest was reached ahead of the announcement of the package of measures by the Government following consultations with organisations representing hauliers and farming organisations.

The Defence Forces and the Irish Army were not deployed to the scene at Portlaoise, though a Garda helicopter spent some time monitoring activities on Sunday afternoon.

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Garda concerns emerged on Sunday about the safety of protestors and their supporters at the Togher roundabout. Video taken at the scene showed music being played and people standing on the verges of the roundabout despite the fact that traffic continued to use the N77 / Abbeyleix Road route.

The protest was mounted along with many others on Tuesday, April 7 in an effort to get the Government to provide more support to help cover the cost of spiralling fuel prices. 

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Vehicles were parked on the motorway on the southbound and northbound M7 routes during the protest. The roundabout remained open to single-vehicle traffic but a mixture of trucks, tractors, buses, vans, cars and a digger were parked on the roundabout for the duration.