Firefighters delayed in emergency responses by fuel protest in Dublin

Firefighters faced “significant” delays in responding to emergencies due to disruption caused by a fuel protest in Dublin city centre.

Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) has appealed to the protesters, who are on their second day of a protest over rising fuel prices across Ireland, to allow emergency vehicles to pass through streets both before and after attending an emergency.

Irish police have said there is “significant” disruption across the country, as they appealed to protesters to work with them in order to facilitate emergencies.

It comes after the leaders of Ireland’s coalition government called the protests “wrong” and said they were not in the national interest.

“Dublin Fire Brigade are appealing to all involved in the fuel protests in Dublin City Centre to ensure the free passage of all emergency vehicles, both on blue lights heading to an emergency and also returning to base to serve their operational area,” DFB said in a statement.

“Earlier this morning Dublin Fire Brigade experienced significant delays in their response to emergencies, particularly mobilising from Townsend Street HQ.

“Alternative mobilisation routes are being employed, with the use of empty Luas lines etc.

“The situation has eased somewhat, due to the excellent cooperation with An Garda Siochana, liaising with protesters and clearing routes for our vehicles.

“We continue to work with the other emergency services to ensure operational readiness and emergency access, and we ask all involved to be extra vigilant and compliant when they hear emergency sirens approaching.

“Do not wait until the emergency vehicles reach the blockades, please allow the other blocked traffic through in advance, so the route is clear for our vehicles to approach.”

An Garda Siochana released a statement to say it was engaging with the protesters, and while the demonstrations were peaceful, it has received reports of emergency workers being delayed or not being able to travel to their work, and of people not being able to attend hospital appointments.

“Key public transport routes are also delayed or not operating, which means that employees and businesses are heavily impacted,” the statement said.

“A small number of fuel depots are also being blocked.

“While An Garda Siochana respects and facilitates the right to peaceful protest, An Garda Siochana must also balance and protect the rights of individuals to travel freely and commercial organisations to conduct business.

“An Garda Siochana has asked and asks again for protesters to engage with Gardai locally to facilitate public transport and other traffic.

“An Garda Siochana has also received reports of the blocking of diversion routes put in place to facilitate travel around protests.

“Again, An Garda Siochana is requesting that protesters engage with Gardai locally to facilitate important diversion and emergency routes.”

Speaking on RTE’s Drivetime, Dublin Bus spokesman Blake Boland said services were facing “absolutely massive disruption”.

He said “pretty much” every route had been affected.

Dublin Bus carries just over half a million passengers a day, Mr Boland said, but he added that was “massively reduced” on Wednesday.