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"This Rotten Deal Will Not Be Accepted" - Midlands MEP Fires Warning Shot At EU

Monday, 12 January 2026 07:14

Ciarán Mullooly says he'll be pressuring his colleagues to reject Mercosur.

Irish MEPs are heading back to Brussels this week to address the EU-Mercosur trade deal.

They plan to meet colleagues from other countries, including Italy and France, where MEPs are reported to be wavering.

The deal was provisionally approved by EU member states last week, while a protest in Athlone on Saturday saw thousands of farmers demonstrating against the agreement.

Midlands MEP Ciarán Mullooly says he will write to Irish colleagues asking them to represent Ireland’s interests.

The demonstration travelled along the R916 road to TUS Athlone, where it culminated in a rally organised by Independent Ireland's  Michael Fitzmaurice, and Mr Mullooly who MC'd the event.

He's convinced countries like Italy can still be convinced to change their minds in the EU Parliament:

Around 20,000 farmers descended on the heart of Ireland on Saturday to make their frustrations known over EU countries provisionally passing the deal.

Ireland is one of the few countries to oppose a trade agreement 25 years in the making, with fears livelihoods in the beef farming industry could be in jeopardy.

Midlands 103's Caoimhe Killeen spoke to farmers at the protest across the day to figure out why exactly this has sparked concern:

Political support was also visible at the rally in the form of Sinn Fein. the party's  Longford-Westmeath TD Sorca Clarke said it was important to put up a united front:


IFA President, Ballinakill's Francie Gorman also spoke at the event, highlighting the need for as he put it 'culchies' to stick together. 

 Mr Gorman says it's clear how tight knit the farming community is:

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