Protesters at an oil refinery in the Republic of Ireland have been pushed back by gardaí (police) using pepper spray, in an operation supported by the Irish Defence Forces.
The protesters have been blockading Whitegate Refinery in County Cork as part of demonstrations across the country against high fuel prices.
Gardaí moved in to gain entry to the oil refinery and said an operation was ongoing 'to ensure critical supplies of fuel to maintain critical emergency public services, including ambulance and fire services'.
Hundreds of petrol stations in the country have run out of fuel as the protests, involving slow-moving convoys made up of vehicles including tractors, continue for a fifth day.
Blockades at fuel depots in counties Limerick and Galway are continuing.
Footage posted by gardaí showed them escorting oil tankers leaving Whitegate after they restored access to the refinery.
Fuels for Ireland, representing companies that import, distribute, and sell fuel, warned that two-thirds of petrol stations in Ireland would run out of stock by the end of Saturday if the blockades continued.
The Irish government confirmed a fuel support package was being finalized after 'constructive engagement' with representatives of the haulage and farming sectors.
The package will include a temporary Fuel Support Scheme aimed at haulage, agribusiness, and contractor sectors.
Meetings between government ministers and representatives of farmers and hauliers to finalize a government package of fuel supports are ongoing.
Meanwhile, parts of Dublin city centre remain blocked, with major disruptions also reported on various motorways.
Public transport services have been affected, with some suspended and others severely delayed. An Garda Síochána has declared an 'exceptional event' due to the protests, doubling officer availability.
Discussions on necessary support measures continue, amidst concerns that the escalating situation could lead to broader fuel shortages and a public crisis.
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