‘It shouldn’t have come to this’ as Donegal turns out in force for fuel protest

A large fleet left Letterkenny this morning to join a nationwide fuel protest.

The Donegal convoy, led by McGettigan Travel, went to Sligo to meet at the N4/N15 interchange this morning. Over 100 companies came out to protest, such as McHugh Travel, Letterkenny Coaches, Kia Kabs, Mangan Tours, and O’Brien’s. 

“There's a massive turnout, both sides of the dual carriageway are blocked,” Maelisa Boyle (née McGettigan) told DonegalLive. “It’s great to see such support from Donegal.”

Local Sinn Féin representatives Gerry McMoangle, Brian Carr, Pearse Doherty TD, as well as Aontú’s Mary T Sweeney, were in attendance. The protest is about rising fuel prices, carbon tax, home heating oil, food and overall protecting Irish families. 

“It shouldn’t have come to this”, Deputy Doherty said. “Nobody wants to be here, whether it's the farmers, the transport operators, the hauliers or indeed the public. 

“This government simply are not listening; people are demanding action and leadership. We know what needs to happen: the Dáil should be reconvened, taxes on petrol and diesel need to be cut, get rid of the carbon tax, slash green diesel and support people with home heating oil at this time. 

“We need to support our farmers and contractors at this time. I know families right across this county are going without the basics because of the cost-of-living pressure. That's why we need real leadership, real action. We are not going to give up, we are going to keep fighting people's corner and standing with people.”

Protests have been arranged in Leinster, the Midlands and Munster. Protesters and industry bodies like the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) have highlighted that over 60% of the price at the pump goes to the government in taxes.

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“I joined many others in Letterkenny at 6am this morning to show support to the bus companies, hauliers, farmers, and other businesses from the North West heading to Sligo for the fuel protest,” Cllr Carr said. “Everything and everyone in Donegal relies on fuel transport, and the rising costs are hitting us harder than the rest of the country. The government are not listening, let’s hope today’s protest might wake them up a bit.”

While the government recently cut excise duty by 15c per litre for petrol and 20c for diesel, campaigners argue these measures are insufficient given that some families face an €800 annual increase in electricity and heating costs.

The movement in Donegal comes on the back of The People Of Ireland Against Fuel Prices Protest, who said: “Unfortunately, we have had no meaningful engagement or progress with the government, so the decision has now been made to proceed with a national protest.”

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme