WE WILL JAIL INTIMIDATORS

Major operation gets fuel flowing as oil tankers regain access to refinery Whitegate protest stands down and Garda chief issues warning to other blockaders

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FUEL trucks have regained access to an oil refinery that had been subjected to a days-long blockade after gardai cleared protesters from the entrance.

In a major operation involving scores of gardai, large tractors that had been blocking the entrance to the Whitegate oil refinery in Co Cork were moved and fuel tankers were once again able to access the site.

The operation to secure the site took approximately an hour and saw some physical clashes between the Public Order Unit and protesters, including instances where pepper spray was used.

Gardai also confirmed last night that the protesters in Whitegate have officially stood down their protest - and the force's chief warned that all blockades must cease or “face the full rigours of the law”.

A Garda presence is expected to remain in the east Cork village for the time being to ensure access to the Irving Oil Refinery is maintained.

While dejected, protesters told RTE News that they have still achieved their aim.

They said this was to highlight the growing pressures they are facing given rising fuel prices, and to have their voices heard by the Government.

Members of the Defence Forces were also at the scene, as gardai had requested the availability of a military heavy-lift recovery truck if it needed to tow any of the large tractors or trucks involved in the blockade.

Vehicles belonging to the Forces, a medium duty tilt recovery vehicle - used to transport large-sized vehicles - and an army jeep, left the scene last night.

RESPONSE

Gardai escorted the fuel trucks to the premises and had internally declared an “exceptional event”, enabling the large-scale response by allowing it to designate every member as available for duty over the weekend.