“Police have cleared a blockade of central Dublin by farmers and hauliers who were protesting about fuel prices, signalling a possible end to six days of protests that have rocked Ireland.”

“Mounted units and hundreds of officers regained control of O’Connell Street in a peaceful operation that emptied the thoroughfare of trucks and tractors on Sunday morning.”

“Other police units sealed off a section of the city of Galway in an attempt to end a blockade of a fuel depot, the latest in a series of coordinated actions that began on Saturday when gardaí removed protesters from outside the Whitegate oil refinery in County Cork, prompting scuffles and the use of pepper spray.”

“Protesters outside a fuel terminal in Foynes, County Limerick said they would lift the blockade at 1pm on Sunday.”

“In a bid to ease the discontent, the government announced €500m worth of spending increases and tax cuts to soften the impact on consumers and businesses following an emergency cabinet meeting.”

“The protesting farmers, hauliers and other groups caused traffic chaos and severely disrupted fuel distribution in response to a 20% jump in fuel prices since last month, a knock-on effect from the conflict in the Middle East that has put pressure on governments around the world to cap fuel prices.”

“Despite hundreds of forecourts running dry, 56% of voters supported the protesters, according to a poll in the Sunday Independent, a solidarity that some analysts attributed to the wider cost of living crisis.”

“The police threat to tow tractors and trucks compelled their withdrawal because the vehicles would be damaged if dragged without the engine on, he said.”

“The cabinet meeting later on Sunday was expected to approve measures to help agriculture, transport, fishing and other sectors most affected by fuel prices.”

“The government said it would publicise the measures, which have been described as targeted and temporary, only after protests ended.”