Ivor Sweeney given suspended sentence for climbing oil tanker at Whitegate Refinery during fuel protests
On 10 April 2025, Ivor Sweeney, a 51-year-old man from Midleton, climbed on top of an oil tanker at Whitegate Refinery in Co Cork during fuel protests and remained there for an hour and 15 minutes, causing a traffic obstruction. He was arrested at 5:05pm that day and later pleaded guilty at Midleton District Court to allowing a mechanically propelled vehicle to remain in place so as to cause traffic obstruction under the Road Traffic Act 1961. The court heard that Sweeney, who has no previous convictions, developed hypothermia while on top of the tanker and said he had climbed up because negotiations with the Government in Dublin had broken down. Judge Colm Roberts imposed a two-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months and a fine of €1,500.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced11 Jun
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Sweeney climbed on top of an oil tanker at Whitegate Refinery in Co Cork during fuel protests and remained there for an hour and 15 minutes, causing a traffic obstruction.
- Sweeney developed hypothermia while on top of the tanker.
- Gardaí were in attendance at a blockade of the refinery and two trained Garda negotiators were called in.
- Sweeney said he climbed onto the tanker to exercise his right to democratic protest after negotiations with the Government in Dublin had broken down.
- Sweeney has no previous convictions and travels internationally with his IT work.
- When
- The incident occurred on 10 April 2025 and Sweeney was arrested at 5:05pm.
- Charges
- Sweeney pleaded guilty to allowing a mechanically propelled vehicle to remain in place so as to cause traffic obstruction, contrary to sections 98 and 102 of the Road Traffic Act 1961.
- In court
- The case was heard at Midleton District Court before Judge Colm Roberts.
- Sentence
- The judge imposed a two-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months and a fine of €1,500.
- Other details
- The judge described Sweeney as a rational adult who knew the consequences of his actions, and his defence solicitor said he was remorseful.
15 statements extracted from the articles
- whatSweeney climbed on top of an oil tanker at Whitegate Refinery in Co Cork (irishtimes.com)
- whatSweeney spent an hour and 15 minutes on top of the tanker (irishtimes.com)
- whatGardaí were in attendance at a blockade of the refinery and two trained Garda negotiators were called in (irishtimes.com)
- whatSweeney climbed atop the tanker to cause a traffic obstruction and failed to come down (irishtimes.com)
- whatSweeney has no previous convictions (irishtimes.com)
- whatSweeney travelled internationally with his IT work (irishtimes.com)
- whatSweeney said he went to Whitegate to exercise his right to democratic protest (irishtimes.com)
- whatSweeney said he got on top of the tanker because negotiations had broken down with the Government in Dublin (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe incident occurred on 10 April 2025 (irishtimes.com)
- whenSweeney was arrested at 5:05pm (irishtimes.com)
- chargeHe pleaded guilty to allowing a mechanically propelled vehicle to remain in place so as to cause traffic obstruction (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe offence was contrary to sections 98 and 102 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was heard at Midleton District Court before Judge Colm Roberts (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceThe judge imposed a two-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceSweeney was fined €1,500 (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 11 Jun2026Fuel protester developed hypothermia on top of oil tanker, court hears
Sentencing report. Sweeney spent an hour and 15 minutes on top of the tanker, developed hypothermia, and was described by the judge as a rational adult who knew the consequences of his actions.
convicted, Ivor Sweeney, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)Ivor Sweeney