Gardai expect 'significant' and 'slow-moving' traffic in Athlone during Mercosur protest
An Garda Síochána said they expect "significant additional traffic" in Athlone, including "slow moving vehicles" on the N6 Athlone Relief Road and in the Cornamaddy area during the national protest rally tomorrow (Saturday) against the EU's Mercosur trade deal with South American counties.
In a press release this afternoon, gardaí outlined the potential for traffic disruption and localised delays in Athlone due to the event.
They said that, while a convoy of slow-moving agricultural vehicles was expected to travel east-bound on the N6 Athlone Relief Road on Saturday morning, "it is not intended that the N6 eastbound will be closed".
The garda statement said the convoy of tractors and other vehicles would be travelling east-bound from Junction 12 (Roscommon Road) to Junction 10 (Ballymahon Road), and then along the N55 (Ballymahon Road) towards the R916 Cornamaddy roundabout.
A march on foot is then due to take place between Junction 9 of the N6 (Garrycastle) and the TUS Athlone campus, where speeches are expected to commence at the International Arena at 1.30pm.
The Garda press release on the protest reads as follows:
"An Garda Síochána is aware of plans for a Public Assembly and associated activity to take place in Athlone on Saturday 10th January 2026.
An Garda Síochána understands that the assembly will involve a number of elements including:
• a convoy of mainly agricultural vehicles from the N61 Roscommon Road, along the N6 travelling eastbound from Junction 12 to Junction 10, and along the N55 towards the R916, Cornamaddy roundabout
• a march from vicinity of Junction 9 N6 along the R916 to TUS Athlone
• a rally/speeches at TUS Athlone
It is expected that there will be significant additional traffic, including slow moving vehicles, in the N6 area, from Junction 12 to Junction 10, in the morning and over the course of Saturday 10th January 2026.
It is not intended that the N6 eastbound will be closed.
Members of the public travelling in the affected areas of the N6 Athlone on the 10th January 2026 are asked to plan their journeys during this period to ensure to leave enough time for possible traffic disruptions and to expect some localised delays.
There will be additional traffic, parking and pedestrians in the vicinity of the N55 Cornamaddy roundabout, R916 and environs of TUS Athlone from early morning until the Public Assembly finishes in the afternoon.
An Garda Síochána asks members of public visiting Athlone Town, in particular the environs of TUS Athlone on the 10th January 2026, to be aware of potential traffic delays.
An Garda Síochána has and continues to liaise with Westmeath County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to minimise disruption in the Athlone area on Saturday 10th January 2026.