Ambulance Bays Must Stay Clear: NAS Plea Comes as Fuel Protests Block Emergency Routes Nationwide

The National Ambulance Service is urging the public to keep ambulance bays and emergency vehicle spaces clear, as fuel protests across Ireland escalate into what Gardaí are now describing as blockades of critical national infrastructure.

In a post shared today, the NAS highlighted the scale of the vehicles their crews operate. Ambulances exceed six metres in length, weigh 5.5 tonnes, and many are fitted with tail lifts and specialist equipment, meaning crews require considerably more space than a standard vehicle to safely park, load equipment, and move patients.

"Blocking or parking in ambulance bays, even 'just for a minute', can delay crews when they need quick access to their vehicle," the service said, asking the public to check signage and park responsibly.

The appeal comes as An Garda Síochána issued a stark warning today, with Deputy Commissioner, Policing Operations, Shawna Coxon stating that the situation has moved beyond protest:

"These are no longer protests, they are blockades. These blockades are putting at risk supplies of food, fuel, clean water and animal feed. These are critical for the nation and its people. This is not tolerable and is against the law."

Gardaí say they have spent two days engaging with those involved, operating on the basis of what they describe as the 4Es: Engage, Explain, Encourage and Enforce. Despite that engagement, Coxon said some participants had significantly escalated the situation by targeting fuel depots and refineries.

An Garda Síochána is now moving to an enforcement phase, advising protesters to immediately cease blockades of critical infrastructure or face prosecution under the Public Order Act and Road Traffic Acts.

With emergency workers among those already reported as delayed over recent days, the NAS appeal is a timely reminder that obstructions, whether on a protest line or in an ambulance bay, carry real consequences for people in crisis.