Man arrested after driving truck into gates of Russian embassy in Ireland
An Irish man has been arrested after driving a truck through the gates of the country's Russian embassy on Monday, The Irish Times reports. The embassy also accused Irish law enforcement — known as the Garda — of standing by.
The driver, Desmond Wisley, has been arrested for criminal damage and is currently in custody. There were no injuries.
"The incident took place in the presence of Garda officers, who stood idle," said a Russian embassy spokesperson in response. "The embassy strongly condemns this criminal act of insanity directed against a peaceful diplomatic mission. The embassy views this incident as a clear and blatant violation of Article 22 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"The incident is cause of extreme concern," the spokesperson continued, noting the embassy is in contact with Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs.
Videos show the truck "reversing into the gates and forcing them open as a number of protesters looked on," writes the Irish Times.
Wisley is then said to have exited the truck and "handed out photos of what he said were Russian atrocities in Ukraine," adds the Irish Times.
"I just done this to create a safe corridor for the Russian ambassador to leave Ireland," Wisley said. "I want the ambassador and his colleagues to leave this country, leave this free country."
As he was taken away by authorities, he added, "I've done my bit, lads. It's about time the rest of Ireland done their bit."
Monday's events are just the latest in demonstrations outside Ireland's Russian embassy — for example, protesters have repeatedly thrown red paint on the building's entrance, while the exterior has been vandalized with graffiti saying "Nazis" and "Blood on your hands," per the Irish Times.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brigid Kennedy worked at The Week from 2021 to 2023 as a staff writer, junior editor and then story editor, with an interest in U.S. politics, the economy and the music industry.
-
Cautious optimism surrounds plans for the world's first nuclear fusion power plant
Talking Point Some in the industry feel that the plant will face many challenges
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Explore new worlds this winter at these 6 enlightening museum exhibitions
The Week Recommends Discover the estrados of Spain and the connection between art and chess in various African countries
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
2024: the year of Black country artists
In the Spotlight Beyoncé debuted 'Cowboy Carter' at the top of the country charts, shining a spotlight on artists like Shaboozey
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine-Russia: are both sides readying for nuclear war?
Today's Big Question Putin changes doctrine to lower threshold for atomic weapons after Ukraine strikes with Western missiles
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What would happen if Russia declared war on Nato?
In depth Response to an attack on UK or other Western allies would be 'overwhelming'
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Last updated
-
Are Ukraine's F-16 fighter jets too little too late?
Today's Big Question US-made aircraft are 'significant improvement' on Soviet-era weaponry but long delay and lack of trained pilots could undo advantage against Russia
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine's stolen children
Under the Radar Officially 20,000 children have been detained since Russia's invasion in 2022, but the true number is likely to be far higher
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
A brief timeline of Russia's war in Ukraine
In Depth How the Kremlin's plan for a quick conquest turned into a quagmire
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Why is Ukraine backing far-right militias in Russia?
Today's Big Question The role of the fighters is a 'double-edged sword' for Kyiv, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
What does victory now look like for Ukraine?
Today's Big Question Not losing is as important as winning as the tide turns in Russia's favour again
By Elliott Goat, The Week UK Published
-
British warship repels 'largest Houthi attack to date' in the Red Sea
Speed read Western allies warn of military response to Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels if attacks on ships continue
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published