THERE IS chaos for commuters in Dublin today as the farmers' protest enters its second day.
Farmers from across the country descended on the capital in tractors yesterday, some having made the journey from as far as Cork or Kerry, and have since blocked roads and brought traffic to a standstill.
No wonder with all the farmers in Dublin pic.twitter.com/rXbBhbxPD8
— Redser (@RedserSarah) November 26, 2019
Last night, a tractor and dozens of protesters blocked the gates to the Oireachtas (Irish parliament), leaving several government workers stuck inside.
Hundreds more protesters took to the streets with placards, with the protests continuing overnight.
Now in their second day of a series of independent demonstrations, roads in the centre remain closed and bus routes are being diverted.
Over 100 tractors are believed to be in the capital already, with more expected to arrive today.
Outside the Shelbourne hotel in Dublin just now. #farmersprotest #farmers #tractorprotest pic.twitter.com/cLuZKc3nJw
— Padraic Ryan (@ryan_padraic) November 27, 2019
The farmers are protesting to demand a meeting with the Minister for Agriculture, Michael Creed, who they say has treated them unfairly. The protests are expected to continue until that meeting is secured.
The protests are a series of independent demonstrations, not affiliated with the Irish Farmers Association, with whom many farmers have become disillusioned.
The price of beef, the money farmers are losing on animals at factory gates, and the 'Beef crisis' of the summer are just some of the reason the protests are taking place.
Several city centre roads remained closed this morning as numerous tractors block the streets, causing chaos for commuters-- but a majority of public opinion seems to firmly support the farmers and their actions.
