Dublin: Around 600 of Ireland’s 1,600 gas stations have run out of fuel amid the ongoing blockades of fuel depots, RTE reported on Saturday, as supply disruptions continue across the country.

According to Anadolu Agency, Fuels for Ireland CEO Kevin McPartlan told RTE that if the blockades at the three facilities continue, it would be challenging to guarantee fuel availability at any forecourt by the start of next week. He warned that the number of affected stations could rise significantly if the situation persists, potentially leaving up to two-thirds of petrol stations without stock by the end of the day.

McPartlan noted that just over one-third of Ireland’s gas stations are currently without fuel and urged the public not to engage in panic buying. He assured that Ireland has adequate fuel supplies but emphasized the need for access to terminals to restore distribution.

He expressed hope that the Gardai would secure the routes to and from the terminals, allowing for a restoration of normal service. McPartlan indicated that once access is restored, it could take several days to a week to fully restock the stations.

McPartlan also voiced disappointment with the state response prior to the protests and mentioned that a ‘lessons-learned exercise’ would be conducted once the situation is resolved.