“We believe that no people of sound mind could support such senseless and barbaric actions.”
The Russian embassy in Ireland has said that Gardaí “stood idle” while a truck carrying ecclesiastical supplies crashed through its gates in Dublin.
It’s understood the incident took place at 1.30pm on Monday, when a man reversed the truck through the gates on Orwell Road.
A large truck has crashed through the gates of the Russian embassy in south Dublin. One man has been arrested. pic.twitter.com/35yLDfGhEd
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) March 7, 2022
The man then got out of the truck and distributed photos, which were said to be of victims of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
In response, the Russian Embassy condemned what it called “a criminal act of insanity directed against a peaceful diplomatic mission”.
“The incident took place in the presence of Garda officers, who stood idle,” the Embassy said in a statement.
“The Embassy strongly condemns this criminal act of insanity directed against peaceful diplomatic mission. The Embassy views this incident as a clear and blatant violation of the Article 22 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic relations of 1961.
“The Embassy is in contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland, demanding that the Irish authorities take comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of its staff and their family members.
“The incident is cause of extreme concern. We believe that no people of sound mind could support such senseless and barbaric actions.”
In a statement to JOE, Gardaí said they are investigating an incident of criminal damage that occurred at a property on Orwell Road on Monday at approximately 1.30pm.
One male was arrested and taken to Rathfarnham Garda Station where he is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
The protest follows the news that Ireland has been named on an official Russian government list of countries it deems “unfriendly” to Russia.
The countries and regions are highlighted for either imposing or endorsing sanctions levelled against Russia following its military invasion of Ukraine in February.
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