Fuel protests: police issue fines after traffic disruption across Northern Ireland

The PSNI said it had issued fines for those carrying out fuel protests which disrupted traffic across Northern Ireland yesterday (Tuesday).

Slow-moving convoys of tractors and other vehicles formed in Belfast and several other areas as part of protests against rising energy bills.

While the protests led to significant traffic jams in some areas, the disruption was not on the scale of recent fuel protests in the Republic of Ireland, where motorways were brought to standstills and fuel depots blockaded.

At around noon, a convoy of slow-moving tractors clogged up the Sydenham bypass near Belfast City Airport, hours after passengers were warned there may be disruption.

In a statement, police said areas affected included the Sydenham Bypass, Westlink, M2, A1, A4 and A5 while the A6 at Toome was also blocked by protesters for a period of time.

The statement said "a proportionate policing response" was implemented to ensure public safety and to help minimise disruption to the wider community.

"During the policing operation the drivers of a number of vehicles were issued with Fixed Penalty Notices for road traffic offences and a number of other persons were cautioned for public order offences," the statement said.

Chief Superintendent Norman Haslett added: “Today’s policing operation was designed to minimise disruption to the strategic road network, maintain business as usual at critical infrastructure and to prevent escalation and prolonged disruption.

“The right to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are fundamental human rights which are protected in law and allow individuals to engage in peaceful protest. However, these rights are balanced by the need to uphold the rights of others, protect public health and safety, minimise disruption to normal life and by the need to prevent and detect crime.

“An evidence-gathering operation was in place and we will now review the footage gathered in order to consider further prosecution for any potential offences.”

Meanwhile, Ballygowan farmer Sam Hanna was joined by his border collie Roy in the cab of one of the lead tractors in the protest on the Sydenham bypass in Belfast, and he said the protest “isn’t about farmers”.

He spoke to our Chief Reporter James Gould

“This is extortionate what we’re getting charged in taxes throughout life, not just fuel, petrol, everything we’re being extorted,” he said.