Gardaí and HSE issue pleas as Laois fuel protests continue

An Garda Síochána and the HSE have both issued statements making appeals to protestors involved in the ongoing fuel price protests across the country including Laois.

The HSE has called for all approaches to medical facilities around the State to be kept clear for users, especially vulnerable patients, to access treatment.

An Garda Síochána is calling for protestors to cease “blockages of critical infrastructure such as fuel depots and refineries.”

READ NEXT: 'I'm standing with them' - Laois senator backs fuel protesters

Speaking today, Deputy Commissioner, Policing Operations, Shawna Coxon said: “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. 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.

“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.

READ NEXT: Army called in to remove vehicles blocking depots as fuel protests enter third day in Laois

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,” they said.

Backing the protestors Laois Senator Maria McCormack said: "Peaceful protest happens when people feel they have been left with no other choice. I stand with them in calling for action from this government."

"These are just regular workers from Portlaoise, the bus contractors who bring our kids to school, the builders, the farmers, everybody who is keeping this country moving. They are just asking for a simple request, for the price at the pump to be reduced," she said.

She urged that the Government needs to meet with protesters to discuss the issue. 

Independent TD for Offaly TD Carol Nolan has condemned the Government’s decision to authorise the deployment of the Army to remove fuel protesters, describing it as “a reckless escalation that will only further deepen the crisis.”

“This move will not only inflame the situation further, but it also totally misjudges the depth of public and business anger that is out there, despite the clearly acknowledged sense of frustration that many people have around the disruptions that are being caused,” said Deputy Nolan.

“The frustration among ordinary consumers, drivers, businesses and farmers is at boiling point. Government must demonstrate a determined resolve to heed the sense of desperation that is out there and put the needs of our own people first by engaging in dialogue.”