Details of Mercosur protest finalised
A national community protest against the Mercosur Trade Deal will take place in Athlone this Saturday (January 10).
Organised by Independent Ireland, with the backing of major farming organisations, the rally is intended to send a message to the government that Irish Farmers and farm families say no to the proposed Mercosur trade deal.
The protest will include a tractor and vehicle cavalcade around the town, and end with an indoor rally.
Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner the Independent Ireland MEP, Ciaran Mullooly, explained the motive behind the gathering: “We will be showing our protest, our strength and the solidarity amongst farmers in saying no to this deal.”
The IFA will be one of the farming organisations adding their voice to the protest. Westmeath IFA chairman, Richard O'Brien, says it's important the public oppose the deal.
“We [the IFA] have tried and tried to get the government to listen to us, but they've failed to deliver on their promises. Maybe this is an alternative way to get their attention to say, well, we're serious about this.”
Richard says the major free-trade accord between the European Union and the founding members of the Mercosur bloc (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) will have wide ranging effects on Irish society.
“There's an awful lot of people who will be impacted by this deal,” Richard said, “from machinery garages to small shop owners, everyone who deals with a farmer will feel the knock-on effect.” He said the implications are wide ranging: “We need to keep young people in rural Ireland. If you take farming out of the equation, they'll have to go somewhere else for work. If they go somewhere else for work, they'll be gone out of our communities, it will just be another blow for rural Ireland.”
Organisers of the event have confirmed key logistical details ahead of the Athlone demonstration, including finalised routes, assembly points and contingency plans for transport and parking. The protest is expected to draw widespread participation from across the farming and rural sectors.
It will begin at 11am with a tractor and truck cavalcade assembling at Exit 12 on the Monksland side of Athlone on the N61; before travelling eastbound only towards Exit 9, Garrycastle.
Organisers have identified two main holding areas for vehicles prior to departure, including sites near Exit 12 and a wide hard shoulder along the Roscommon Road. A dedicated area for trucks has also been secured.
Protesters who are walking will join and lead the protest to the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS).
Protesters arriving by car are advised to park at the university and walk back to Garrycastle to join the march. The university and adjacent sports facilities can accommodate up to 700 vehicles.
As a contingency, parking is also available at Golden Island in Athlone town centre (free for up to four hours), with local town link buses operating to the university from Willow Park and Garrycastle every 15–20 minutes.
All traffic travelling west to east face significant delays and will be redirected at times during the day. To minimise disruption to local residents and commuters, participants are asked to avoid unnecessary interference with traffic in the town centre.
Once the march reaches the university, the truck and tractor convoy will be redirected to designated off-site parking zones, including, Dan’s Tavern, Blyry, Moydrum Road, Cornamaddy and Athlone Town FC. Shuttle buses will operate between these locations and the university throughout the day.
Organisers are also liaising with nearby truck depots to secure additional parking space for larger vehicles. The shuttle service will enter the university through the front gate and exit at the rear, facilitating safe drop-off and collection across all zones.
All attendees are asked to follow event signage, waymarking, and directions from designated stewards and An Garda Síochána throughout the day.
Safety marshals will be on-site to assist participants and ensure the event proceeds in a peaceful and organised manner.