This move came after Finance Minister Simon Harris stated that the protests have created a "moment of extreme danger for the economy." Irish police took action to remove protesters who had blocked the country's only oil refinery on Saturday after a government official stated that protests against rising fuel prices constituted a "moment of extreme danger for the Irish economy." Protesters used tractors and trucks to block the (Whitegate) refinery, two ports, a gas station, and several roads in Dublin to express anger over the more than 20% increase in diesel prices since the outbreak of the American-Israeli war against Iran. The government stated that hundreds of gas stations are now out of fuel, putting some emergency services at risk. Footage aired by the state broadcaster (RTE) showed police detaining at least one protester on Saturday, removing others, and deploying equipment designed to move large vehicles at the Whitegate refinery. Police posted a video on social media showing oil tankers entering the refinery.
