Irish Police Break Refinery Blockade Amid Fuel Protests

Tensions escalated in Ireland as police forces moved to break a days-long blockade at the Whitegate Refinery in County Cork. The refinery, a key node in Ireland's fuel supply chain, was surrounded by protesting farmers and hauliers using slow-moving vehicle convoys to obstruct operations. On Saturday, officers, supported by the Irish Defence Forces, deployed pepper spray to disperse protesters, making several arrests in the process. The Garda Commissioner insisted the blockades were unlawful and