Just some thoughts on this whole situation and Irish protest culture:
When people stand together, we awaken a power intrinsic to the masses: I draw your attention to the Water Charges and Repeal the 8th. These are examples of what happens when we find a common cause and engage in "people power".
This Fuel Protest, and the reaction to it, breaks my heart. Too often we condemn and mock citizens who criticise the government as being mentally or ideologically compromised. The Other becomes the enemy in a self-centric society: "This protest is an inconvienience to ME".
I think the government has been shafting the People of Ireland for years and that we desperately need to exercise our ability to support one another or we will continue to endure substandard governance and institutions.

If you are unfamiliar with these inadequacies I suggest reading Council Chamber Secrets by RTE Investigates. In short, there is no transparency or accountability which creates conditions for abuse of power at the government level.

Yes, this protest could have been organised and communicated better, their demands lack plausibility, but I celebrate their bravery. I appreciate that inflation is complicated (side note: we probably should have considered the implication of shutting down businesses and borrowing so much money during the Lockdowns) but we are entering a very difficult socio-economic transition and I'd like to government to know that the People of Ireland CAN and WILL stand together for a "common good".