WATCH: Routes through roundabout on major Offaly road blocked

STATIC tractors and trucks this morning (Thursday, April 9) blocked access through a roundabout on the Tullamore bypass.

The action by fuel price protesters meant that traffic coming from both the northern (as pictured below) and southern directions on the N52 was halted at the Cappincur bypass.

Vehicles coming from and towards the town centre along the Cappincur/Daingean road (L2025) could move freely through the roundabout.

Protesters were taking turns to position vehicles on the N52 itself, in addition to parking in the centre of the roundabout.

The slowdown on the bypass, now in its third day, has resulted in greatly increased levels of heavy traffic through Tullamore town centre and trucks are using pinch points like Kilbeggan Bridge over the Grand Canal more frequently (see below).

The action took place as An Garda Siochana issued a statement on Thursday morning calling for an end to fuel protests which impact on "critical infrastructure".

A Garda statement said: "Despite our significant and prolonged engagement, which has included explaining and encouraging protestors to facilitate free movement of traffic, it is clear that some people have significantly escalated an already difficult situation by targeting critical infrastructure such as fuel depots and refineries. 

"These are no longer protests, they are blockades.
 
"These blockades are putting at risk supplies of food, fuel, clean water and animal feed. These are critical for the nation and its people.
 
"This is not tolerable and is against the law.

"The wilful obstruction of public roads and the movement of vehicles and persons are offences under various statutes including the Public Order Act and Road Traffic Acts.
 
"As part of our well-established graduated policing response in dealing with protests, An Garda Síochána is now moving to an enforcement phase in relation to those impacting on critical infrastructure unless they desist and disperse from these blockades.
 
"An Garda Síochána is advising protestors to immediately cease blockades of such critical infrastructure or face the full rigours of the law."

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