“We have the country by the balls.” - Christopher Duffy spokesperson for the fuel protests. [1]

 

We, the majority, sympathize that the cost of living has increased. However, it has increased for everyone. We recognise that protest is an important civil right and that it has a place in making voices heard, however, we did not choose you to represent us.

You do not speak on our behalf.

We all have bills to pay and you are unnecessarily making everyone's lives harder at an already challenging time.

 

When you choose to block a road, you risk lives when emergency services are delayed. [2]

When you choose to block a road, you risk the lives of vulnerable people who need timely medical care. [3]

When you choose to block a road, you prevent healthcare workers from getting to their patients. [4]

When you choose to block a road, you disproportionately affect the lives of the sick, the disabled and the families of the terminally ill. [5] [6]

 

We ask that you stop blocking roads. We ask that you stop putting lives at risk and we ask that you engage in good-faith dialogue with the government.

 

[1] https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/04/11/how-the-fuel-protests-brought-the-country-to-a-standstill/

[2] https://www.thejournal.ie/dublin-fire-brigade-fuel-protesters-delays-responding-emergencies-7006656-Apr2026/

[3] https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/what-did-i-do-to-deserve-this-cancer-patients-facing-disruption-amid-fuel-protests-1884963.html

[4] President of the Medical Council, Dr. Suzanne Crowe is appealing to protestors to let people through https://www.midwestradio.ie/news/nationwide-fuel-protests-enter-a-fifth-day/

[5] Staffing levels at University Hospital Limerick were also significantly impacted this morning as widespread road protests brought key commuter routes to a standstill. Reports suggest that as much as a quarter of the hospital's workforce has been unable to reach the regional site, forcing remaining staff to "double up" on duties to maintain patient care. https://www.live95fm.ie/news/live95-news/live-95-listeners-say-fuel-protests-impacted-hospital-appointments/

[6] The President of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has called for an immediate end to the fuel blockades, warning that slower response times by the emergency services and missed healthcare appointments as a result of the blockades will have a “hugely detrimental” effect on patient welfare. https://clareherald.com/news/protest/irish-medical-organisation-calls-for-removal-of-fuel-blockades/