Protestors forcing N3 traffic into Cavan Town

Similar stand-off in on Monaghan bypass

Protestors in tractors, jeeps and cars have choked off traffic exiting the N3 to Dublin in an attempt to force all vehicles back towards Cavan Town.

What began as a loosely coordinated demonstration has escalated at speed. The decision to impose a full blockade was only made within the last hour.

From 7:30am, protestors began gathering on the N3 outside Cavan, before launching a rolling protest shortly before 9am. The convoy snaked from the old Nissan garage roundabout to the Dublin Road roundabout and circled the Kilmore roundabout. It was initially planned to last for one hour, but the situation has developed since.

After the original cavalcade fragmented, protestors regrouped. It was there, amid mounting confusion, that a more certain course of action was decided.

Linda Smyth from Kilnaleck explains why she's there.

Blocked

At the present time the N3 exit on the Dublin Road Roundabout southbound is blocked, with the entrance onto the roundabout open.

The entrance onto the N55 Ballinagh Bypass is blocked, and the entrance onto the Dublin Road Roundabout is open.

The exit onto the Dublin Road Roundabout from Belturbet is open, but the road Northbound is blocked.

Finally, the entrance into Cavan Town from the Dublin Road Roundabout is open, and the exit is closed.

Some protestors have indicated their intention to remain there for the day, though the Celt understands that the protest may last until after the government meets with representative groups of farmers, agricultural contractors and the haulage industry later today to discuss the ongoing fuel crisis.

That meeting is scheduled to take place after lunchtime.

Fuel costs

They are protesting at fuel prices and the government's refusal, thus far, to lower taxes on fuels further while uncertainty in the Middle East prevails, oil prices soar and supply is impacted.

Yet, remarkably, no clear leadership has emerged to the Cavan protest and confusion reigns- even among participants- over who organised it and who is directing the next move.

A handful of individuals have though stepped forward in an attempt to steer the unfolding events.

Flyer

Much of the turnout appears to have been sparked by a widely shared social media poster circulated late on Thursday night. The flyer called for a march from Cavan town centre to the Dublin Road roundabout, branding the event a “peaceful protest” and urging people to “stand up and be counted” and “make your voice heard”.

One protestor, who declined to be named, declared they are “doing this for the people of Ireland”.

Several of the tractors have been draped with the tri-colour.

Gardaí confirmed they were aware of the online calls to action and have been closely monitoring developments as tensions rise throughout the morning.

Despite the disruption, emergency services have been allowed through.

Monaghan

In Monaghan Town meanwhile, protestors have brought traffic to a complete standstill, blocking both sides of the bypass.

The disruption follows a gathering on Thursday evening at Circle K on the Emyvale Road, where fuel protestors first assembled in force.

From there, a convoy of agricultural vehicles, lorries, and cars- hundreds strong- took 15 minutes to exit the car park before descending on the bypass, where they remain entrenched. The Coolshannagh roundabout is now entirely impassable from all approaches, though emergency services continue to be facilitated.