'About time' - People in Laois have their say on ongoing fuel protests

There has been a huge response across Laois and the rest of the country to the ongoing fuel price protests. 

Since Tuesday, convoys of tractors and trucks have blocked the M7 motorway at Portlaoise and other major roadways across the country in protest of the soaring price of fuel.

The protests, which have caused significant disruptions across the country, have evoked a major reaction from the public with many supporting the protesters and others disagreeing with them. 

The Leinster Express / Laois Live asked people where they stood on the issue and the response was overwhelming.

Hundreds of people said they supported the protesters completely as the fuel price crisis is affecting everyone in the country, not just hauliers, farmers and small businesses. 

One person wrote: "100% agree. Well done to everyone, about time the country got up and stood together in a united front. This is something that affects everyone."

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Another said: "All tax payers taking time off work to make a stand for the people of Ireland. They should be applauded."

Others have urged the protesters to continue taking action, saying "they should have them every day until the Government realise that people are at the end of their patience."

Someone else said: "Keep on fighting for what's right! Don't let the tailbacks discourage you, every voice matters!"

Others noted that they fully support the protests, as long as emergency services are not disrupted. 

As the protests entered their third day on Thursday, An Garda Síochána and the HSE both issued statements appealing to protesters to keep all approaches to medical facilities clear for emergency services and patients attending appointments. 

The HSE said: "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."

This is something which has led to some disagreement on the protests. As one person wrote: "Protest all you want, but shouldn't force everyone to be in it, leave one lane open, not getting to work or appointments is only frustrating people, not the way to punish us all for a high fuel costs protest!"

Another said: "No issue with a protest. No issue with why. I have a big issue with the whole country at a standstill. People going to hospital appointments, schools, jobs. I saw frightened old folks stuck on a motorway today. A go slow to Dublin, yes but to gridlock the country? 

"If you protest about fuel prices, don’t do so while 100,000s of cars etc are sitting there burning their diesel and petrol."