The abrupt closure of Fastway Couriers has jolted Ireland’s logistics and transport industry, costing hundreds of jobs and leaving rural hauliers owed thousands in unpaid fees. The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) warns the fallout could be the first in a chain of collapses that may cripple the country’s supply network.

IRHA President Ger Hyland described Fastway’s downfall as “a body blow” to an industry already struggling to stay afloat. He blamed government policy for imposing layers of taxation, escalating fuel costs, and insufficient support for the transition to green HVO fuels. Hyland argued that these burdens have created unsustainable pressure on transport operators, particularly those in rural areas who are now left in financial limbo.

According to Hyland, the IRHA had repeatedly cautioned political leaders that a lack of relief measures in last month’s budget would trigger widespread business failures. “The government cannot say they were not warned about what happened today,” he said, criticising leaders for failing to address the industry’s calls for practical reforms.

The closure has immediate knock-on effects: small businesses have paid for deliveries now stranded in depots, hauliers are uncertain of payment, and customers may never receive their products. The situation underscores a deeper vulnerability in Ireland’s logistics framework, where rising operational costs and minimal state intervention threaten to erode national connectivity.

Hyland urged the government to introduce an emergency support package to prevent further closures and stabilise the sector before more companies follow Fastway’s path. “We are the wheels that make the Irish economy turn, but those wheels are coming off now,” he warned.

The transport sector stands at a critical crossroads. Discover what this turning point means for Ireland’s logistics future — read the full article here.