Legitimate protest is one thing, but this week, a small group of renegade farmers crossed a line. Protesting at the low prices being paid by meat-producing companies for beef, the rogue group of farmers feel unloved. Having initially gathered on Merrion Square, the farmers repeatedly reneged on agreements with Gardai as to how their protest would take place. Family farm income fell 31% for dairy farmers, compared to 2017; 21% for cattle rearers; 11% for other cattle farmers; and 21% for sheep farmers. It is not tolerable that a small, renegade group of people be allowed cause such disruption multiple times without consequence.

Source: Irish Examiner January 17, 2020 21:11 UTC