'We have come out in force to make a stand'
Protesters vow to block tankers entering or leaving
By Patrick Flaherty
FARMERS, contractors and hauliers have vowed to continue their occupation of Galway Docks for “as long as it takes”.
About 30 lorries, trucks and tractors lined one side of the road at Galway Docks from early this morning (Wednesday) after yesterday's protest brought hundreds of vehicles into the city and prevented buses from returning to their city depots last night.
There was minimal disruption to traffic flow in the area today with cars and buses allowed to cross the bridge.
However, protesters warned that they will block any fuel tankers in a bid to stop fuel entering or leaving through the city’s docks.
“Everyone here will stay as long as it takes to get change,” stated Milltown’s David Coen, who works for agricultural contractor John Dolan.
“The contractors here have farms at home that need work done and we are turning down work to be here today to fight for contractors, farmers and hauliers who can’t take any more of this.
“If the costs of diesel and oil continue to rise at this rapid rate, half the contractors here today will not be in business by the end of the summer. We needed to do something as people aren’t listening to us.”
Several protesters who spoke to The Tuam Herald were frustrated by the comments made this morning by An Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Minister for Transport Sean Canney, who both came out against the protests happening nationwide.
“If the TDs had done something right, organised a decent deal, met people and replied to the letters sent to them, which were ignored, we wouldn’t be here today,” commented Donal Byrne of BRB Homes.
“You’d swear a protest needs to be planned out by the Taoiseach himself. Stand to one side and let him in and out with his state car and wait for him to decide if he should give us something. That’s not how democracy works.
“We elected people to represent us, including Sean Canney, who has done absolutely nothing but let his constituents down today. He should hang his head in shame given his role as a government minister,” he added.
A fire in a barrel helps keep the protestors warms as many of them will remain on site throughout the night.
Several wooden pallets were donated by local business while others donated food.
Gardai have been present throughout the two days, but the protesters do not expect them to take any action to end their blockade.
One protester from North Galway, who wished to remain anonymous, has been part of the protest since it began on Tuesday morning and he has yet to leave the site.
He is confident the protests will continue to have the public’s support.
“A rolling protest on the streets was needed yesterday to get our point across. But we don’t want to give the public any more disruption than they’ve had so just oil tankers will be blocked by us. Others can go about their business here,” he explained.
“This protest will go on as long as needed. What other way can we speak to the government other than through something like this as they have ignored our individual pleas. We have come out in force to make a stand.”