Tractors in the Mercosur protest in Athlone today. Large crowds gather at TUS in Athlone for major Mercosur protestHundreds of tractors and trucks converged on Athlone today as part of a major national protest against Mercosur. The tractors gathered on the N61 Roscommon Road outside Athlone from early morning with long tailbacks reported on that road from 10am. The cavalcade then proceeded along the Athlone bypass before leaving at Junction 10 and heading to TUS via the Ballymahon Road and Cornamaddy. The first tractors arrived in Garrycastle shortly after 11am, with hundreds more taking part in the protest which continued for well over an hour.

Source: Irish Independent January 10, 2026 13:43 UTC