Mayo councillors claim some fuel protests overstepped the mark

THE tactics by some of the cost of fuel protestors in blocking fuel depots and roads was criticised by some Mayo councillors who claimed it was an affront to democracy.

Members of Mayo County Council debated the cost of fuel protests which occurred across Ireland last week for close to 90 minutes with the majority backing the decision by farmers and hauliers to protest against the cost of fuel.

However, some of the actions of the protesters including the blocking of fuel depots was criticised by a number of councillors who claimed that it had frightened people.

Fine Gael councillor Michael Burke told the meeting that he knew some of the people involved in the protest but believed some of the actions were a disgrace.

“There were some people involved who should hang their heads very low. I accept that there were the most decent people fighting for their cause but they were also absolutely taken over in the last 48 hours by people who did not belong to the farming community and have no place in Ireland.

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“We have a democracy in this country and we stand under our flag with great pride but what we don't do is go around shouting traitors in this town in Castlebar. It was a disgrace that anyone would say those comments about any elected representative no matter what party and people do not like that.

“There is no member of my farming community that would ever be associated with that and we need to be careful when protesting that we have some control on it,” he said.

His party colleague, Cllr Peter Flynn also expressed concern at the level of abuse directed at politicians by some protesters.

“I never experienced as much anger as last week and it is unfounded. There is so much anger among people who are genuinely worried but we have gone a step too far with this,” he said.

The Westport-based councillor said that events in the Middle East means there is little the Irish Government can do and suggested the anger should be directed at Israel and the USA.

“America and Israel need to back off and allow peace to evolve and get back to a scenario where their world is stabilised.

“My appeal to people angered about this is to please consider the consequences. We don't want people not being able to get to hospital appointments and don't want our carers wondering whether they can come in and older people wondering what will happen tomorrow. There is so much at stake here.

“Certainly voice your opinion and talk to your TD and senator but I am appealing to you to pull off the protesting the way it is working now. It is not doing anyone any favours. We need to protect democracy and do the right thing,” he said.

Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Loftus said he agreed with the principle of why the protests were taking place but expressed disappointment in which the protests escalated.

“Demonstrations are a right we have in this country but the sad thing for me was the day they blocked the oil terminals. I disagreed because what they did was frighten so many people in this country. How many of you here queued up for diesel and petrol? It was frightening to see the panic that was in our communities and that is when I had a problem,” he said.

The Crossmolina-based councillor also criticised the abuse which members of An Garda Siochána faced by some members of the public and commended the restraint they showed.

“If I was a member of the guards I would have hit them personally but they have the training not to do so. I agree with the motion but the protest took a wrong turn.

“The protest has taken a turn and people will go against them and I beg them to think and let the democratic process take over.”