Fuel protests: PSNI 'aims to consider further prosecution for any potential offences' when asked if go-slows amount to unnotified parades
The PSNI has said it aims to “consider further prosecution for any potential offences” when asked about whether this week’s fuel protests amounted to breaches of Parades Commission rules.
Meanwhile the commission itself said that, whilst the definition of “public procession” in law can include events involving vehicles, it is ultimately up to the courts to decide what counts.
Under the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998, it is a requirement that anyone organising a “public procession” must lodge a notification in advance with police; the PSNI then notify the commission.
Failure to do this is a criminal offence punishable by up to six months in jail, an unlimited fine, or both.
Tuesday saw convoys of tractors and lorries converge on major traffic routes in the Province in protest at the rising cost of fuel, mostly doing a ‘go-slow’ rather than stopping altogether.
This occurred on the Sydenham Bypass in east Belfast, the M1 around Hillsborough and Sprucefield, the Ballygawley roundabouts in south Tyrone, and in Omagh town centre.
No notifications were lodged with the Parades Commission for any of these events.
However, the organisers of a similar event last Saturday afternoon in Strabane did notify the parades commission in advance – and have done so again for another protest taking place in the town tomorrow at 3.30pm.
Asked about the matter, the Parades Commission told the News Letter: “Section 17 of the Public Processions (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 defines a public procession as follows: ‘a procession in a public place, whether or not involving the use of vehicles or other conveyances.’
"The question of whether a particular event falls within this definition is ultimately a matter that would be determined by a court deciding on proceedings before it.
"No notification of intention to organise public processions were received in respect of the fuel protests held in the Omagh, Ballygawley, Sprucefield or Sydenham areas on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.
"Any suspected failure to comply with the notification requirements under the Public Procession (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 could constitute a criminal offence and would accordingly be subject to investigation by the PSNI.”
The PSNI meanwhile told the News Letter: “An evidence-gathering operation was in place and we will now review the footage gathered in order to consider further prosecution for any potential offences.”
NEW RUMOURED DAY OF ACTION:
Rumours have circulated online about another mass protest at 4pm next Friday, April 24, at the following locations:
Tesco distribution centre, Boucher Road, Belfast;
Asda distribution centre, Larne;
T-junction, Westbank Road, Belfast Port;
Lidl distribution centre, Nutts Corner;
P&O, Larne Harbour;
Seatruck, Warrenpoint;
Belfast International Airport;
And the oil terminals at Airport Road and Airport Road West, east Belfast.
The Parades Commission has no notified processions listed for these locations.
Among the accounts promoting this list of locations is Newry’s Church Street Community Facebook page, and the Facebook pages of cattle breeders Redhouse Holsteins and the Protestant Coalition.
None have said where the list originated from, but that they are not the organisers.
Several protests which have been circulated online in the past week have failed to take place, including one yesterday at 2pm, said to be in the same locations as Tuesday.
‘BE AWARE OF PARADES LAW’: PSNI
Chief Superintendent Norman Haslett said: “We are aware of posters online calling for further protests at various locations across Northern Ireland this weekend and next week.
"Preparations for a policing response are underway to ensure public safety and to help minimise any potential disruption to the wider community.
“The right to freedom of speech and freedom assembly are fundamental human rights.
"They are protected in law and allow individuals to engage in peaceful protest.
"However, these rights are limited by the need to uphold the rights of others, protect public health and safety, minimise disruption to normal life and by the need to prevent and detect crime.
“Those considering protests involving vehicles should be aware that all motorists have to consider other road users, particularly critical blue light or transport services.
"The PSNI is required to balance the rights of all members of the public.
"This is particularly acute where processions, or protests, may have an impact on critical road users such as blue light services or on significant transport hubs such as airports and railway and bus stations.
"We will continue to police these protests with the ‘Four Es’ approach of engage, explain, encourage and, where we assess in the context of an individual incident that having had regard to all competing rights, enforcement if necessary.
"Where a fixed penalty notice is issued to a motorist, the recipient has the option to contest the matter in a court.
"Those organising public processions involving vehicles must also comply with the Public Processions (NI) Act 1998 and the Parades Commission code of conduct.”