undefined | Taoiseach condemns refinery blockade as ‘national sabotage’ as Justice Minister meets gardaí on fuel-supply threat

Fuel hauliers, farmers and contractors have escalated their protest against soaring fuel costs, leading to blockades of the Whitegate refinery in Cork, fuel depots in Dublin, Limerick and Galway, and major road closures such as the M50 at Junction 5 Finglas. Taoiseach Micheál Martin described the Whitegate refinery blockade as “an act of national sabotage” that threatens the country’s energy security, while Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan warned protesters that “no one is above the law” and announced that consequences would follow unlawful activity. The disruptions have brought Dublin’s city centre and key transport arteries to a standstill, with Luas services suspended on the Green Line and buses forced onto temporary termini.

Government officials have repeatedly condemned the blockades while acknowledging the genuine pressure of rising fuel prices on households and businesses. Tánaiste Simon Harris said the laws will be applied without fear, and Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien pledged to engage with representative groups such as the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) and the Irish Rural Housing Association (IRHA) to address the sector’s challenges. The administration has allocated €250 million in targeted supports, including a reduction in excise duties, a cut to the NORA levy and an expanded diesel rebate scheme, and has promised further high‑level meetings on energy security.

The protests have caused severe traffic delays across the island, with the M50, M11, M7, N4, N7 and numerous regional routes closed or operating at reduced capacity. Dublin Bus reported a dramatic drop in passenger numbers and the need to create temporary termini, while fuel distributors warn that prolonged blockades could lead to garage forecourts running dry, especially in the west where the Galway port terminal remains shut. Protest leaders have indicated they will lift the blockades if granted a meeting with senior government officials, demanding a cap on agri‑diesel, removal of carbon tax and excise duties, and broader relief for those most affected by the fuel crisis.

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#taoiseach #micheálmartin #justiceminister #jimo’callaghan #irishroadhaulageassociation

[14:20] Two-year wait for appeal in rape case 'too long'

The Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has said that a recent appeal of a rape case which took almost two years to complete was, in his view, too long.

https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/0409/1506689-two-year-wait-for-appeal-in-rape-case-too-long/

#JimO'Callaghan #almosttwoyears

[01:38] O'Callaghan to attend immigration summit in London

The Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan will attend an Organised Immigration Crime Summit in London later today, where efforts to tackle people smuggling will be discussed.

https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2025/0331/1504930-summit-london/

#JimO'Callaghan #London #latertoday

[08:25] Shane O'Farrell's family to meet Minister for Justice

The family of Shane O'Farrell, who was killed in a hit-and-run incident involving a man who was on bail, are to meet Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan this morning as part of their ongoing campaign for a public inquiry into what happened.

https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/0321/1503245-shane-ofarrell-minister/

#ShaneO'Farrell #JimO'Callaghan #thismorning

[13:28] Minister to recommend cttee examine O'Farrell inquiry

Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has said he "cannot ignore" the decision of a scoping inquiry into the hit-and-run death of Shane O'Farrell to not open a public inquiry into the case.

https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/0320/1503092-shane-ofarrell-inquiry/

#JimO'Callaghan #ShaneO'Farrell

[18:01] Justice Minister facing mounting calls to establish public inquiry into death of law graduate in hit and run

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan is facing mounting calls to establish a public inquiry into the death of a Monaghan law graduate who was knocked down and killed by a hit-and-run-driver over a decade ago.

https://www.independent.ie/regionals/monaghan/news/justice-minister-facing-mounting-calls-to-establish-public-inquiry-into-death-of-law-graduate-in-hit-and-run/a1571266990.html

#JimO’Callaghan #Monaghan #adecadeago

[07:54] 32 people deported from Ireland to Georgia, says Minister

The Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has said 32 people were deported to Georgia last night.

https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/0228/1499401-deportation-flight-georgia/

#JimO'Callaghan #32 #Georgia #lastnight

[15:45] Law to remove guardianship rights from those who kill their spouse to be brought to Cabinet next month

A new law to remove guardianship rights from those who kill their spouse will be brought forward by Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan next month.

https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/law-to-remove-guardianship-rights-from-those-who-kill-their-spouse-to-be-brought-to-cabinet-next-month/a545220392.html

#Justice #JimO’Callaghan #nextmonth

[15:31] David Quinn: In Jim O’Callaghan, we finally have a Justice Minister who talks sense about asylum-seekers

Jim O’Callaghan has made a good start as Justice Minis­ter. It is very early to be marking his score card, but when you hear him on radio, you do notice. He does not talk in bland “minis­­terial-speak”. He is clear and cogent and, so far, he has not shied away from discussing hot-button topics honestly.

https://www.independent.ie/opinion/comment/david-quinn-in-jim-ocallaghan-we-finally-have-a-justice-minister-who-talks-sense-about-asylum-seekers/a173399246.html

#JimO’Callaghan