DUBLIN, Ireland: Disruption from a protest against rising fuel prices continued across the country and may last till April 10.

Protesters driving tractors, lorries, and trucks created slow-moving convoys in several counties. Around 80 vehicles, including trucks, vans, and tractors, kept the blockade going overnight.

Local organizer Adrian Williams said fuel prices should be limited, with diesel at 1.70 euros and petrol at 1.60 euros. Protesters said they would not stop until the government takes action to reduce the rising cost of petrol, diesel, and home heating oil.

Organizers of the fuel protest on the M8 motorway in Cashel said they may continue their protest until April 10. Williams told Tipp FM News that many protesters were ready to stay out for the whole week.

Sean O'Neill, Communications Director of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, urged drivers to keep the hard shoulder clear for emergency vehicles. He said the protests were causing major traffic delays across the motorway network due to slow-moving convoys, seriously affecting people's daily lives.

He added that the agency was working with the gardaí to manage the situation and stressed that keeping emergency lanes clear was very important, as delays could affect people in urgent need.

He also asked the public to stay patient, noting that while the disruption was significant, authorities were actively handling it and the gardaí were doing a good job.

At the protest, organizer James Geoghegan said that 28 demonstrations had taken place across the country.

Many vehicles remained in the city center on the night of April 7, and gardaí said the protest had a major impact on traffic, including on the north and south quays. Other routes, such as the Naas Road, the Red Cow Interchange, and parts of the M50, were also affected.

Gardaí also reported slow-moving convoys and heavy traffic delays on the M8 in Tipperary and the M18 in Clare.

Public transport in Dublin was also disrupted. From around 8:00 pm, the green Luas line stopped running in the city centre because protesters blocked the tracks at O'Connell Bridge.

Dublin Bus said its services were severely disrupted in the city center on the night of April 7.

Tánaiste Simon Harris said that while everyone has the right to protest in a democracy, such actions do have consequences. He said the disruptions had affected many people, including healthcare workers and small business owners.

He added that different sectors should not be pitted against one another and described the situation as a national challenge requiring cooperation.

He also said the government was working closely with groups representing farmers, contractors, and transport operators.