Protesters at an oil refinery in the Republic of Ireland have been pushed back by gardaí (police) using pepper spray, in an operation supported by the Irish Defence Forces.
The protesters have been blockading Whitegate Refinery in County Cork as part of demonstrations across the country against high fuel prices.
Gardaí moved in to gain entry to the oil refinery and said an operation was ongoing 'to ensure critical supplies of fuel to maintain critical emergency public services, including ambulance and fire services'.
Hundreds of petrol stations in the country have run out of fuel as the protests - involving slow-moving convoys made up of vehicles including tractors - continue for a fifth day.
Blockades at fuel depots in counties Limerick and Galway are continuing.
Footage posted by gardaí on Saturday afternoon showed them escorting oil tankers leaving Whitegate after they restored access to the refinery.
Fuels for Ireland, which represents companies that import, distribute, and sell fuel warned two-thirds of petrol stations in Ireland would be out of stock by the end of Saturday if the blockades at the fuel-storage facilities continued.
The Irish government confirmed a fuel support package was being finalized after what it described as 'constructive engagement' with representatives of the haulage and farming sectors.
The package will include a temporary Fuel Support Scheme aimed at the haulage, agri-business and contractor sectors.
Meetings between government ministers and representatives of farmers and hauliers to finalize a new government package of fuel supports are taking place on Saturday.
The blockade of parts of Dublin city centre is continuing, with O'Connell Street and South Quay closed to traffic.
Other disruptions include blockades on various motorways, causing significant delays in travel.
The situation has led to An Garda Síochána declaring an 'exceptional event', allowing the mobilization of additional resources to manage public safety.
As protests persist, the Irish government is working to both address the immediate fuel crisis and engage in dialogue with protest leaders to find a longer-term solution.
