Buses and Luas trams at a standstill in Dublin as fuel protests continue into the night

A LUAS LINE is blocked, buses are stuck and traffic in Dublin city centre remains severely disrupted this evening, as a number of tractors and trucks continue to O’Connell Bridge in a protest over rising fuel costs

Traffic along the north and south quays around the area is heavily impacted, causing significant delays for motorists and public transport users.

A number of vehicles have also been left on roads in the surrounding area, apparently abandoned by protesters. At Bachelors Walk, several empty vans and trucks line the road leading to O’Connell Bridge.

No traffic is travelling in either direction along O’Connell Street or O’Connell Bridge.

Dublin Bus and Luas have issued notices confirming service disruptions.

Green Line trams are not running northbound between St Stephen’s Green and Dominic (near Parnell Street, the next stop after O’Connell Street) due to dozens of protesters blocking tracks at O’Connell Bridge. 

Protesters on O'Connell Bridge. Nicky Ryan / The Journal

Gardaí have warned that ongoing protest activity is ”having a significant impact” on the north and south quays.

A queue of Dublin Bus vehicles line the side of the road at Bachelors Walk.

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A number of Dublin Bus vehicles lining the side of the road along Bachelor's Walk. Nicky Ryan / The Journal

The protest, which began this morning and culminated earlier with a convoy of vehicles and a number of speeches from opposition politicians to protesters on O’Connell Street, is part of a wider series of demonstrations across the country, with participants calling for caps on green and white diesel and reductions to the carbon tax.

While the Irish Road Haulage Association is not officially involved, some political figures and local activists have voiced support for the demonstrators’ demands.

Delays on the quays and surrounding routes are expected to persist into the night.

Additional reporting from Nicky Ryan