James Geoghan, one of the spokespersons for the protests spoke to Ciara Kelly about the next steps.
James Goeghan, fuel protest PRO was on The Hard Shoulder Friday evening to discuss the next steps for the protestors and Government.
Despite the hopes of those involved in the blockades, no protest leaders were invited to talks today between the IFA, the Hauliers Association and Taoiseach Michael Martin and Tanaiste Simon Harris.
They were allegedly told to meet Fianna Fáil TD for Galway West John Connelly at 2 pm. Mr Geoghan claimed that he was refused entry due to his comments on the Taoiseach earlier on Liveline.
James Geoghan, one of the spokespeople for the fuel protests had previously claimed on RTÉ Primetime that he had been expected to attend on personal invitation.
However, it was revealed on Newstalk Breakfast Friday morning that no such invitation had been extended.
Speaking to Ciara Kelly on The Hard Shoulder Friday Afternoon, Mr Geoghan said none of the protesters were going to ‘back down’ should gardai and military force be used to evacuate protest sites.
“These people are probably the toughest men in the State”, he told Newstalk.
“They’re not going to be bullied and they currently feel like they’re being bullied by the Government which is the wrong way to go. This should be done under dialogue and peaceful protests.
“If any violence occurs it won’t be started by them but by the police or army.”
James Geoghan, fuel protest PRO on next steps
He told The Hard Shoulder host the protesters were likely to be there “for the long haul” until an agreement with the Government was reached.
'We are the voice of the people of Ireland.'
After being denied entry to a government meeting to discuss fuel prices, fuel protest leaders voiced their frustrations with the ongoing situation. pic.twitter.com/PHUSr15CPe
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) April 10, 2026
Mr Geoghan explained that if the farming, haulage and agricultural representative bodies reached an agreement with the Government where their demands were met, protestors would accept such terms and leave their various locations.
“I've been asked to be the voice of Ireland”, he said.
“We cannot accept a situation where self-appointed people dictate or determine who can drive on a motorway or who can access support or egress support”, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said about the protest.
“I would invite all of those people to go for elections. We have an election, just put those names forward. That's what we have in this country. a parliamentary democracy.”
Mr Geoghan said that if the Taoiseach was attending to his duties correctly the protests would have never started.
The Hard Shoulder host Ciara Kelly put recent revelations on Mr Geoghan’s past revenue charge and accusations of animal cruelty.
Revenue logo.He had six judgments for a total of almost €550,000 secured against him by the Revenue Commissioners and animal cruelty convictions.
Revenue has secured six judgments against Mr Geoghegan in the past six-and-a-half years, the most recent of which was secured just two weeks ago.
The judgments account for a total of €548,804. All six judgments are currently recorded as unsatisfied.
The fuel protest PRO said the sum was due to “account error” that dates back to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“A lot of those figures were made up from estimates which were totally wrong and they are in the process of being corrected now.
“The [13 counts of animal cruelty] happened back years ago in my father's time. When I was 18, the herd number was switched to my name.”
Main Image: Fuel protests in front of the GPO.
