People of Mayo 'cannot take any more' as fuel protests bring roads to a standstill

Many roads across Mayo were brought to a standstill today as hauliers, farmers, and protestors combined to take a stand against the hikes in fuel prices.

Since the first days of America's war with Iran, petrol, diesel, and home heating oil have surged in price, causing concerns amongst many in what is broadly perceived to be a serious cost-of-living crisis.

On Tuesday morning, as many were making their way back to work after the Easter holidays, protestors decided to take a stand.

The sight of tractors and lorries gathering was striking in Westport, Ballinrobe, Claremorris, Foxford, and Ballyhaunis as they weaved their way to Castlebar, pitching up for the day with the mission of making their voice heard.

One of those who was present as the convoys touched down in the county town was Councillor Chris Maxwell.

The Independent Ireland councillor was strong in his stance.

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"The ordinary people of Ireland are out today. They cannot take any more," he stated.

"They've had enough of it, and they want to make their voice heard because the present government is not listening. It's as simple as that. We know it.

"People know it. There are people out today that cannot afford to put heat in their tanks. There are farmers out because the price of agricultural diesel has nearly doubled.

"Hauliers, bus operators, the ordinary person going about their business in their cars. Everyone is feeling the pinch."

There was no shortage of personal anecdotes from the Louisburgh native as he spoke to The Mayo News.

"I've bus operators out our way," he regaled, "that are afraid that they will not be able to honour the contracts because they are tied in a crisis that was adopted long before this crisis erupted and their bill has gone through the roof."

For him, the blame lies solely at the feet of the national government.

"It's the government's inaction that has brought this protest out today," said Cllr Maxwell. "Maybe it's greed on their part, we just don't know. But their tax take is astronomical. 65 cents on every euro.

"And the higher it goes, the more tax they take. And they give a little bit, and that's it. It's not good enough.

"We need to see green diesel for a start, brought down to one euro a litre at the least.

"Ordinary diesel, as you can see at the pumps, needs to come down to at least €1.60, €1.70, and the same with petrol."

Sinn Féin TD for Mayo, Rose Conway-Walsh, was also in attendance at the protest and has again called for urgent and immediate government action to address the escalating fuel and energy cost crisis.

Speaking after the protest, Teachta Conway-Walsh said: “Fuel prices are still rising and people across Mayo are under enormous pressure, yet all we have gotten from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are half measures and excuses.

“Today’s protest in Castlebar reflects the real and growing anger among workers, families and key sectors of our local economy. It is part of a nationwide message to the government that people have had enough and need urgent support to heat their homes, fill their cars and put fuel in their machinery.

“I am here to support the hauliers, bus drivers, contractors, farmers and all those struggling to keep their businesses going and to provide for their families. These people are the backbone of our rural economy in Mayo.

“Our farmers are being expected to absorb increases to fuel costs and the cost of fertiliser, while all the Government has given them is a 3c per litre reduction on green diesel. They need meaningful tax cuts on green diesel, the planned carbon tax increases to be scrapped, and energy supports for fertiliser to prevent the soaring costs of production leading to price increases for the consumer.

“People shouldn’t have to give up a day’s work to demand the basic supports they need to survive. TDs should be in the Dáil working with others to agree emergency measures to support people.

“Sinn Féin has already written to the Taoiseach to reconvene the Dáil this week to deal with this crisis. We have put forward practical, immediate solutions to get support to people now, especially households reliant on home heating oil, which have been left abandoned by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

“Families are struggling to heat their homes, and businesses are on the brink because of soaring diesel and petrol costs. People are in crisis now, and they need support now.

“I and Sinn Féin will continue to stand with workers, families and communities across Mayo. We will keep applying pressure and fighting for the supports that homes and businesses urgently need. This crisis demands real action, not delay and dithering from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.”