The Government is bracing itself for a further attempted blockade of the country’s only oil refinery over the bank holiday weekend.

Senior Government sources said they are on ‘high alert’ for the possibility of further protests over soaring fuel costs at the Whitegate refinery in Cork.

A minister said Garda intelligence suggests some of those individuals involved in the blockading of ports and motorways are organising new protests that could begin as early as tomorrow.

The Garda Press Office yesterday insisted they are not aware of imminent protests. 

However, the Irish Mail on Sunday has learned the Public Order Unit is on standby for any repeat of the protests that almost ground the country to a halt last month and will ‘move in quickly’ if disturbances erupt.

A Cabinet source said Garda management has been told the Government expects a ‘more rapid and aggressive reaction from gardaí this time’. 

They told the MoS: ‘We will not prove to be a soft touch this time round, and these protests will not be permitted to cause the outrageous disruption to ordinary citizens they did last time.

‘We are on high alert due to Garda intelligence and we expect the gardaí to act on it this time.’ 

Last month, the MoS revealed Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly was on a family holiday when the protests kicked off.

He returned the day before gardaí and members of the Public Order Unit removed the blockade outside the Whitegate refinery.

‘Once the gardaí acted last time, a quick resolution was found,’ the minister noted.

‘The problem was acting in time. We understand that the gardaí must feel they have the backing of the Government in using any means necessary to prevent these protests causing disruption. They have received that assurance from us.’

This week, agricultural contractor and self-styled protest leader James Geoghegan warned on social media that the protests are over ‘for now’, adding ominously: ‘The political side of the campaign is just getting started.’

Last night, he spoke at an event hosted by conservative group Breaking Point at a secret Dublin location to debate where the fuel protests go next. 

Speakers included prominent protesters John Dallon and Christopher Duffy.

The location changed twice because of what organisers said was a ‘coordinated campaign to intimidate venue staff’. 

Independent Ireland TD Ken O’Flynn this week insisted his party played no role in his withdrawal from the event. 

He was originally billed to appear at the event alongside Mr Geoghegan and Mr Dallon, as well as Dublin city councillor Gavin Pepper, who has been described in the Dáil as a ‘far-right activist’.

Breaking Point describes itself as a ‘forum for new ideas’. It is not a political party or a campaign group but hosts events that platform anti-immigration and conservative speakers. 

With just over two months until Ireland takes over the EU Presidency, the Government and gardaí are keen to ensure there is no repeat of the almost week-long takeover of the capital’s main thoroughfare. 

Three weeks ago, hundreds of gardaí were involved in operations to remove blockades on Dublin’s O’Connell Street and at Galway port.

The Public Order Unit arrived in the early hours of Sunday, April 13, supported by the Garda mounted unit, the Garda helicopter hovering overhead, and the Garda Water Unit patrolling the River Liffey. 

Protesters and members of public were directed to leave, and they did so quickly and peacefully, gradually returning to their vehicles before driving away under Garda escort.