Farmers who have been protesting in Dublin city centre over the cost of beef are making their way home in tractors.
There are major traffic delays on the M50 southbound leaving the Port Tunnel and disruption on North Wall Quay, Alfie Byrne Road and East Wall.
Backlogs are being reported from the Port Tunnel M1 merge onto the M50 merge, with traffic delays also in the Port Tunnel
Motorists are being advised by Gardaí to take alternative routes.
***Dublin Traffic Update***
The Port Tunnel has reopened but due to traffic volumes traffic
flow is restricted. Two car collision on the M50 n/bound Jct 6 & 5 down to
2 lanes. Traffic still extremely heavy on M50 s/bound due to protest. pic.twitter.com/z1D7eQQ03W— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) January 16, 2020
Around 100 tractors have been parked up in Dublin’s city centre since Wednesday afternoon.
Traffic restrictions were put in place around St Stephen’s Green and Merrion Square as the demonstration continued into Thursday.
On Thursday morning, farmers called on the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to meet with them.
“Our guys handed in a petition to Leo Varadkar and he was supposed to come out this morning to discuss the issues they have placed on the agenda,” said one.
“The farmers of rural Ireland are on their knees.”
“I am prepared to come down to Dublin to fight for what I believe in,” said another.
“I am worried about our future and want to make sure that all stops are pulled out to solve this crisis.”
Traffic Update: This protest is currently on route to Dublin Port via the North Quays.
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) January 16, 2020
Tractorcade
The protest is being organised by the 'Individual Farmers of Ireland' group, who say the ‘tractorcade’ is part of their campaign over beef prices, carbon tax and other issues.
More tractors have arrived here at Merrion Square. The protest has been split into two: St. Stephens Green and Merrion Square. pic.twitter.com/zASPBYfBbp
— Shane Beatty (@ShaneBeattyNews) January 15, 2020
Limerick farmer Diarmuid Hennebry said he travelled to Dublin to protect rural Ireland.
He explained: "It's a six-hour drive to come up, and we've plenty of work to be doing at home.
"But it's all about the price of beef in rural Ireland - rural Ireland is closing down. Enough is enough."
Individual Farmers of Ireland spokesperson James Geoghagan warned that if they were unhappy with Leo Varadkar's response to their call for a meeting, they would step up their action.
He said: "If the meeting goes ahead in the morning and if we are happy with the outcome of that, we might call off the protest - otherwise we will be escalating the protest."
The main farming organisations are not supporting the rally.
