Farmers lift blockade
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by David Craik • Irish beef hauliers are managing to get through port blockades set by angry British farmers who are trying to prevent them passing through to British stores.
Pressure from the Irish government and Irish Road Haulage Association, with increased police action against farmers, led to the easing of a crisis which last week was costing Irish beef hauliers thousands of pounds.
The farmers' blockades, which began at Holyhead and Fishguard last week (CM 4-10 December), spread across the country to take in Liverpool, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Stranraer, Cairnryan and Heysham. Up to seven vehicles were forced to turn back at Stranraer on Thursday, but on the same day Irish trucks were leaving Seaforth Port Liverpool by a different route to avoid protesters.
At the weekend three Irish hauliers shipped 60 loads through the ports with no reported problems.
Scottish farmers have now suspended their action and police prevented a blockade at Dover.
L Monaghan trucker Trevor Lowey, 24, was arrested in Cairnryan early last Thursday morning and charged with attempted murder for driving through a 200-strong crowd.
Lowrey had been cleared by Scottish police to continue with a load of chickens when he was surrounded. The charge was later reduced to dangerous driving and he was released on £2,500 bail.