Fuel protest
Widespread traffic disruption is taking place on major routes around Dublin today with a truckers’ group staging a rolling protest over high fuel prices.
The Irish Truckers and Haulage Association against Fuel Prices said it was taking to the streets of the capital a month after another demonstration brought traffic in the city centre and on the M50 to a standstill.
Protesting truckers are blocking the road to Dublin Port and say that they will only allow emergency vehicles through. It means that all freight and passenger vehicles going to Dublin Port will be stopped.
Dublin Tunnel South Bore closed due to congestion at Dublin Port @TIITraffic @DCCTraffic @DubPortTraffic @GardaTraffic @Fingalcoco @TheAAie
— Dublin Tunnel (@DublinTunnel) December 13, 2021
The southbound bore of the Dublin Tunnel was closed after midday due to congestion in the port area.
Ventilation in schools
The Government is to provide up to €72 million in funding that can be used by schools and childcare services to improve ventilation as part of efforts to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Minister for Education Norma Foley announced €62 million in minor works grants as part of additional pandemic-related supports.
Schools will have flexibility on how they use the funding to improve their premises including the purchase of high-efficiency particulate-absorbing (Hepa) filter machines if they are deemed necessary.
Luke O'Neill tests positive
Immunologist Professor Luke O’Neill, who has tested positive for Covid-19, has called for vulnerable people to be vaccinated or boosted as soon as possible.
Prof O’Neill said he will now be “quadruply” vaccinated, having had the booster on Thursday after his two-shot vaccine, and then testing positive for Covid at the weekend.
He said vulnerable people, especially vulnerable children, should be vaccinated or boosted as soon as possible.
Minister for Sport Jack Chambers said the HSE will present an accelerated booster campaign this week.
Eddie Fullerton investigation
A man detained in connection with the murder of Donegal Sinn Féin councillor Eddie Fullerton in 1991 has been released without charge.
Gardaí from the Donegal division arrested the man, in his 50s, on Sunday morning. On Monday morning, gardaí said the man had been released without charge.
On the 30th anniversary of Mr Fullerton’s murder earlier this year, Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald called for an independent inquiry to investigate claims that the killers colluded with security forces in Northern Ireland.
