In Pictures: Hundreds join slow convoy fuel protests in Laghey and Ballyshannon

While there was some blaring of horns and flashing of lights, the fuel protest in Ballyshannon had more the air of a funeral cortege - quiet, sombre and stoic, with a strong sense of solidarity. 

Hundreds of trucks, tractors, agricultural machinery, vans, 4x4s and cars came together for the slow convoy fuel protest, gathering at the roundabout on the Donegal Road on Saturday morning, April 11. They were joined by a second, equally large convoy that had made its way from Laghey. Click on the arrows to see a selection of photos:, gathering at the roundabout on the Donegal Road on Saturday morning, April 11. They were joined by a second, equally large convoy that had made its way from Laghey. Click on the arrows to see a selection of photos:

Among the messages on placards attached to vehicles were:

 ‘No Fuel, No Farm, No Food’ 

‘Trucks and tractors don’t run on excise’

‘Don’t tax my lift to school - no fuel, no school’

READ NEXT: Donegal Live poll: Do you agree with the fuel protests causing road traffic delays?

As well as farmers and hauliers, there were agricultural contractors, bus drivers, bin lorries, a range of self-employed business people and many other citizens. They were out in force to express their despair at the cost of fuel, and to show their solidarity with protestors at fuel depots and major transport arteries around the country.

Among those in the slow protest convoy in Ballyshannon was Cllr Michael McMahon (SF). 

He spoke to Donegal Live about why he chose to take part. 

“I want to see the end of this situation,” he said. “We need talks to take place immediately. This is a very serious situation. There are no winners.”

The Bundoran-based councillor is frustrated by the fact that the current situation with protests and fuel shortages was avoidable.

“I believe the government could have taken action to diffuse the situation earlier, when Sinn Féin called for it,” he said. “It should not have escalated to the point we find ourselves at now. 

“The fuel prices are far too high. The government had been told  that this would happen and was asked to do something about this, but failed to take any action.”

READ NEXT: A Donegal man’s journey to Galway through the fuel protests - by ambulance

Cllr McMahon is calling on the government members to step up and deal with the situation.

“I ask them even at this later hour to pull back and do something about it, because the country doesn’t need this,” he said. “It is putting everyone in an awkward and dangerous situation.”

A video of the fuel protest video in Ballyshannon can be seen here

Protests continue around Donegal and across the country.