The AA reported very severe traffic disruption in Kilkenny on Monday last following the protest carried out by Kilkenny farmers about recent cuts to their income.
Kilkenny city centre became a “no-go” area for over an hour between 12 noon and 1pm while almost 300 farmers drove their tractors in convoy up High Street.
There was similar traffic chaos nationwide as farmers came together in solidarity to highlight the extent of their plight.
The IFA estimated that more than 280 tractors took to Kilkenny’s streets while 180 tractors were recorded in Carlow.
Protesting farmers delivered a letter of protest to the Taoiseach’s constituency office in Tullamore, Co Offaly, where almost 175 tractors took to the streets, delaying traffic by over 40 minutes.
A statement issued by Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith as the protest took place said he fully acknowledged the difficulties facing the farming community this year and said he had been consistently working within government and at EU level to alleviate them.
He stated that a key element was the bringing forward of the Single Farm Payment, and dairy sector support measures being put in place by the EU Commission.
