Fuel Protest (Read MOD NOTE on first post)

squonk · 13-04-2026 01:27PM

A couple of points I think are relevant to this entire protest.

I’m from a farming background and many farmers I know don’t really rate the IFA as an effective union. Many see them pandering to the top tier of big business fathers and letting the smaller guys flounder.

When the IFA actually did something it was occupying the Bord Bia offices over the board member from Dawn using foreign beef in the products. The government stood their ground and the IFA essentially went away with the tails better their legs. They hit a review but your man is still there and will be.

I can’t speak to the other unions but having heard the frustration myself I can’t speak we’ll see why people have no faith in they’d union or the government and so decide to take matters into their own hands

Undoubtedly there were honest, well meaning people on this protest. Unfortunately the leaders who emerged are further most part utter dimwits. In addition the far right also saw an opportunity and latched themselves on.

This movement could have been de-escalated early on with back channel negotiation and setting of expectations. Instead we gut Jim O’Callaghan acting the big man and waving his uzi around. He reminds me of Tackleberry from the police Acadeny movies. He’s made a name based on being a populist hard man but is actually an unhelpful idiot. I think his and Martin’s actions did more to escalate this protest than anything else. Had the government acted with some urgency weeks ago and brought in more cost reduction measures we might have avoided this. As it was they were able to move within days when it became apparent they needed to.

I think there is a lot of unfinished business after this protest. Various groups feeling the government isn’t really on the side of some of the population. Some are left feeling disenfranchised between no real union representation and a government pushing its own agenda above all else. Unfortunately I can’t speak see more protests like this and more of a base emerging fur groups like Aontu and independents. In time there may be enough fur a rainbow coalition of disparate groups where the country will only suffer.

Yeah_Right · 13-04-2026 01:42PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124391223#Comment_124391223

Apparently some Muslims don't believe dogs should be kept as pets as they are unclean. A supporter of the New York mayor posted something about banning dogs in NY City after Mamdani won the election. Right wing nutjobs then jumped on that saying Muslims were taking over towns and neighborhoods and were banning dogs.

The poster I originally replied to said that was happening in parts of England and would soon be happening in Ireland. Along with banning bacon and implementing sharia law. When you see that posted, you know the type of person you're dealing with and the sort of sites/pages they're getting their "news" from.

Curse These Metal Hands · 13-04-2026 01:45PM

Christopher Duffy, who called for a national strike today, can't join the strike as he is spreading slurry.

yagan · 13-04-2026 01:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124391383#Comment_124391383

Isn't spreading slurry what calling the strike is?

memorystick · 13-04-2026 01:50PM

There’ll be a go slow protest on the way. Wednesday I’ve heard.

yagan · 13-04-2026 01:53PM

A internet mob can't be reasoned with.

FFG big mistake was thinking that their traditional rural grassroots would only ever vote for them. So just as we got Paul Murphy AAA/Pbp types after the bank guarantee we can now expect a rural Mé Féin party to emerge.

FishOnABike · 13-04-2026 01:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124391315#Comment_124391315

They'll have to wait until they see which side they can get the most votes from or if they can sit on the ditch and not annoy either side enough to lose votes.

Sleepy · 13-04-2026 02:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124391324#Comment_124391324

If enough farmers have issues with the IFA, it seems quite an easy problem to change: demand an EGM and replace the represenatives you've hired to represent you. If that doesn't work, your views aren't those of the majority of farmers so stop pretending to speak for the majority.

Same goes for the hauliers and farming contractors bodies.

We don't get to have everything our own way in a representative democracy: we get to have our say and the majority rules. That's how it works. It doesn't always suit everyone, in fact it rarely if ever fully suits anyone.

Populists selling people the answers they want to hear (i.e. that they can have everything their own way) are snakeoil salesmen and extremely dangerous. Support populist movements like this at your peril, it's how the likes of Michael Lowry and the Healy Raes continue to line their pockets whilst speaking out of both sides of their mouths.

almostover · 13-04-2026 02:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124391406#Comment_124391406

That would be a fairly apt party name to descibe the rabble we've experienced over the last week. Mé Féin.

FishOnABike · 13-04-2026 02:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124391394#Comment_124391394

I heard that because of a go slow, the go slow protest has been delayed until they get around to it.

midlander12 · 13-04-2026 02:29PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124391315#Comment_124391315

He was mouthy enough early last week, and then remembered he was a Minister. That's where he is, and will remain.

Boggles · 13-04-2026 02:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124391315#Comment_124391315

To be Fair. Danny came out this morning and stated he hasn't a clue what he is going to do or what is going on.

That said that would be Danny every morning.

Cluedo Monopoly · 13-04-2026 02:40PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124391558#Comment_124391558

Whatever about the bould Danny, his brother will qualify for the ministerial pensions in another year. Minimum 24 months required. Of course Michael already has owning interests in 28 properties but he would welcome the extra pension too.

yagan · 13-04-2026 02:43PM

The Healy Rae's and every seasoned cute hore will be keeping their head down. Although in a move that upset a lot of his traditional critics Lowry actually came out against the protest, or at least its manner. Many people found themselves confused by being in agreement with the high priest of Cute Horism.

GNWoodd · 13-04-2026 02:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124391324#Comment_124391324

The IFA haven’t represented small farmers for decades at this stage . Not since John Dillon has there been anyone that spoke out for the average farmer. All watching the next handy corporate number - Parlon being one example.
It’s not just farm representation. Most unions no longer represent the working person. Too busy facilitating EU policies. Since the advent of so called social partnership, their idea seems to be to sit around the camp fire with government partners holding hands and singing kumbiyah .
Into this vacuum comes this weeks protest groups - disparate voices, no structure, a whiff of sulphur of some of them. But with a lot more capacity to react quickly and force reaction. That’s the way it is going to go if Governments continue as they have .

Cluedo Monopoly · 13-04-2026 02:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124391586#Comment_124391586

Did he now? It must be his last run so.

Lowry is a proud government man.

listermint · 13-04-2026 02:56PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124391606#Comment_124391606

Wouldn't then it be the average farmer that can vote them out ?

Are you sure you know what average means ?

almostover · 13-04-2026 02:59PM

The one political party who is likely to make some gains over this is Aontú. They are the perfect mix of social conservatism, anti-immigration and yet fiscally liberal to meet the demands of the 'protestors'. Basically financial handouts for all, including subsidising fuel. Whilst at the same time clutching the rosary beads and blaming it on the foreigners. Basically a combination of PBP's financial acumen and the Legion of Mary's views on social issues.

The only party I dislike more than SF.

Infini · 13-04-2026 03:04PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124391324#Comment_124391324

Its a good summary and what I would say is that the guys need a new union to represent them if they feel the existing lads arent doing jack shìt. Facebook and whatapp arent good long term platforms, theyre full of brainrot and they can easily be bandwagoned by regressive idiots that are out for far more malicious purposes. They're also not very stable I mean look at the farce when the protestors couldnt even agree to 2 representatives, it became chaotic and farcical. How is one able to deescalate when the whole group cant agree on a single leader who isnt a convicted tax fraud or animal abuser?

It would also help to have a clear idea of what objectives to propose, its easy to say cut the carbon tax etc but is there alternatives to reduce reliance on diesil etc, there also has to be cool heads here, this shìt can get worse because America has been jacked by a dementia addled orange shìte whos fecking up everything with Iran we need a plan not to just blame each other expecially as the root cause is beyond our control. The risk of fuel restrictions is real because of this shìt.

One thing that shouldnt happen though is blockading ports and fuel depots indefinately, things are bad enough as it is without creating compounding complications and endangering the ability of the fire brigade and ambulances to assist is going way too far. Its also important to keep the public onside as much as possible and not allow mouthy feckers to threaten everyone. Unite the public not divide them.

Boggles · 13-04-2026 03:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124391648#Comment_124391648

The one political party who is likely to make some gains over this is Aontú.

Doubt it.

Peadar made an absolute tít himself online the other day claiming he had personally negotiated with protestors to get several tankers through a blockade hours after the blockade went home. 😂

FintanMcluskey · 13-04-2026 03:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124391606#Comment_124391606

Its a bizzare logic. If a group of people are unhappy with the governance of a small scale union like the IFA, and they are unable to solve the problems at the top of the IFA, how in the name of absolute hell do they think they know how to solve the problems in irish government

threeball · 13-04-2026 03:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124391529#Comment_124391529

Will they blockade the blockade, like their hero.

Sleepy · 13-04-2026 03:18PM

Great article on the protests:

https://forlouth.medium.com/the-blockade-is-the-message-20eb93493849

threeball · 13-04-2026 03:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124391606#Comment_124391606

Who votes in the leadership of the IFA. If the farms don't think it represents their views then set up a separate union. We now have a situation where ordinary people and businesses bore the cost of last weeks shít show and got no benefits. So maybe we should all head out and block the entrance to every haulier and farmyard in the country until we get relief. But that's not how the whole thing works and nor should it be.

A lot of people who attended these blockades, would have voted FF/FG. Thats their chance to change something if they want. Unfortunately, in this country we have no party with political vision. A country ran by school teachers and career politicians rarely has any idea what it takes to make a truly prosperous country.

Podge_irl · 13-04-2026 03:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124391324#Comment_124391324

The idea this could have been de-escalated early on is utter fantasy. The absolute rabble rousers involved in this are still coming out proclaiming the new measures announced are not enough. They have never been interested in genuine dialogue.

For Forks Sake · 13-04-2026 03:44PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124391683#Comment_124391683

Nobody ever accused these lads of being smart

almostover · 13-04-2026 03:46PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124391769#Comment_124391769

Would you say the protestors are at the 'peak of Mt. Stupid' or in the 'Valley of Despair' currently?

yagan · 13-04-2026 03:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124391762#Comment_124391762

They're an internet mob. Probably lots of decent people but all easily manipulated.

Daily fuel limits have been imposed in Slovenia, including farmers so when that happens here their Mé Féin protests will pit them against the public.

NIMAN · 13-04-2026 03:51PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124391664#Comment_124391664

It was no coincidence imho that this protest was all wrapped up before the Easter break was over.

Had they had roads blocked all over the country this morning and the kids had been off school all week, they would have lost a lot of support quickly .

GNWoodd · 13-04-2026 03:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124391683#Comment_124391683

You can label it bizarre if you like . I never said that I knew how to resolve the problems in Irish Government .
I am commenting on the lack of representation - representation that matters, not people stuck up the rear ends of the establishment .

You may be happy with the IFA . I am not .
By any metric you care to pick, they have not served their members well . The number of full time farmers, the per cent age of rural household income that comes from farming , the area of land actually farmed. Areas put forestry. All of these are negative .

You can take any large area of the West of Ireland and take a look around you - roads are busy from 7.00 to 9.00 and again from 17.00 to 19.00 . Traffic going to / from work , schools etc . Outside of those times, the country side is deserted.
Most farmers are part time , using the area based grants to supplement outside income . Buying a few cattle and keeping them for Summer.
All of the above is not a criticism of those involved. They had / have no choice.

Hardly the hallmarks of a successful representative body is it.

Fuel Protest (Read MOD NOTE on first post)

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