ShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleNiall GlynnBBC News NIPA MediaProtesters used tractors and trailers to block the Dublin Road roundabout in County Cavan on FridayHundreds of petrol stations in the Republic of Ireland have run out of fuel as protests over high prices continue for a fifth day.
RTÉ said about 500 forecourts had run out of petrol and diesel due to the protests, involving slow-moving convoys made up of vehicles including tractors.
The protests have been organised over the issue of high fuel prices caused by the US-Israeli war with Iran.
The Irish government confirmed a fuel support package was being finalised after what it described as "constructive engagement" with representatives of the haulage and farming sectors.
The blockade of parts of Dublin city centre is continuing, with O'Connell Street and South Quay closed to traffic.
Public transport has also been affected, with some services suspended and major disruption in Dublin.
Bus Éireann said it would try to serve Dublin Airport passengers where possible, while people travelling to Shannon and Dublin Airports are advised to allow extra time.
An Garda Síochána (Irish police service), has declared an "exceptional event" in response to the fuel protests, allowing it to double the number of officers available to work.
Meetings between Irish ministers and stakeholders are expected to continue over the weekend.
On Friday, Tánaiste (Irish Deputy Prime Minister) and Finance Minister Simon Harris said that there would be a "substantial and significant" package of support for "key sectors of the economy".
Harris said the talks were "going well", adding that further "intensive engagement" into the weekend was likely.
However, he added: "The blockade has to end."
Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin said the blockades meant the country was "on the precipice of turning oil away from the country" during a global oil supply crisis.
On Friday, there were long queues on the M1, heading towards the border with Northern Ireland, due to protesters closing the motorway at Dundalk, with vehicles blocking both lanes at the Carlingford turnoff.
The National Emergency Coordination Group (NECG), which brings together government departments and state agencies to coordinate emergency response, said fuel supplies for emergency response vehicles, including the ambulance service and fire service, are under "increasing pressure".
The conflict in the Middle East has caused rapid price rises for both petrol and diesel.
Some 20% of the world's oil trade, the raw ingredient for producing both petrol and diesel, has been halted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Diesel in the Republic of Ireland has risen from about €1.70 (£1.48) a litre to €2.17 (£1.89) on many forecourts in recent weeks and petrol is now up to 25 cents more per litre at many pumps.
