NI fuel protesters 'stand in solidarity' with Irish counterparts

Dozens of vehicles have taken part in a fuel protest in Strabane, County Tyrone.

A convoy of vans, lorries, tractors, and even a limousine, are taking part in a 'go-slow' around the town centre before crossing the border into Lifford, County Donegal.

One vehicle recovery owner told BBC News NI that his fuel bill increased by more than £5,000 in the past month and he would be taking his lorries off the road from today.

"There's real anger across the whole island of Ireland about rising prices, not only with fuel but the cost of living and the cost of a bag of messages out of the supermarkets," said Michael McLaughlin, one of the protest organisers.

"All other sectors of the economy - manufacturing, construction, hospitality, healthcare, distribution, you name it, all the workers throughout the pandemic kept the lights on.

"All the people who went out, day after day, working to keep the country going - they're the workers who are getting hammered left right and centre every time they go out the front door, go to a fuel pump, go down to the supermarket for a bag of groceries and messages - something has to give."

He said those who had gathered in Strabane had done so to "articulate that anger in the best way we can" and to send a clear message to the "political class that enough is enough".

"We can't go on like this and we hope that they are listening to our message," he added.

Paddy McLaughlin who owns a limousine and a vehicle recovery company.

He told BBC News NI that his fuel bill increased by more than £5,000 in the past month and he would be taking his lorries off the road from today.

"We working for nothing at the minute and we can't sustain that," he said.

"The only thing he said his company could sustain was emergencies."

He said his company would need an "extra 25-30% on they money they are paid to get his lorries back on the road".

"That's what we're losing out, that's our profit, the government's not losing out, they're still making their money."

The convoy left an industrial estate just outside the town at 15:30 BST and headed towards the town.

It crossed the Lifford bridge into County Donegal before returning to Strabane.

Many of those attending had signs calling for cuts to fuel bills.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it was assessing social media posts calling for planned protests and had prepared a response to minimise disruption and ensure public safety.

The Department for Infrastructure advised people to allow extra time for their journeys should protests go ahead.