Garda commissioner Justin Kelly has declared a "national exceptional event" over the fuel protests and is deploying gardaí to deal with the emergency. The Irish Examiner understands the water cannon has arrived in Cork city. Garda HQ has declared the current blockades at critical national infrastructure – primarily the fuel depots at Whitegate, Foynes and Galway – to be a “National Exceptional Event”. It is understood that there is grave concern at the level of fuel supplies in the country. While Dublin Port has not yet been hit it is understood that much of its fuel supplies go to Dublin Airport.

Source: Irish Examiner April 10, 2026 22:19 UTC