World

WATCH: One held as truck rams gates of Russian embassy in Dublin

The embassy has been a focal point in recent days for protests against the Russian invasion of Ukraine

AFP March 07, 2022

Footage of the crash, shared on social media, showed a heavy goods vehicle reversing through the closed gates of the embassy. SCREENGRAB

One man has been arrested and an investigation launched after a truck crashed through the gates of the Russian embassy in Dublin on Monday, Irish police said.

The embassy has been a focal point in recent days for protests against the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Detectives said they were investigating an incident of criminal damage at the mission in the south of the Irish capital which struck at about 1330 GMT.

"One male was arrested and taken to Rathfarnham Garda Station where he is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

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"Investigations are ongoing."

Footage of the crash, shared on social media, showed a heavy goods vehicle reversing through the closed gates of the embassy.

In Ireland, a truck rammed the gate of the Russian embassy in Dublin.

Do I understand correctly that de jure he violated the borders of the sovereign state of Russia? 😅#Dublin #Russia #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/XkBwcGAJcc
— PMESII (@pmesii_insider) March 7, 2022

The truck had livery for an ecclesiastical supply company printed on its side.

No injuries were reported as a result of the crash.

On Friday, a Roman Catholic priest threw red paint at the gates of the embassy while being interviewed on national radio.

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Ireland's prime minister Micheál Martin has faced calls from opposition leaders to expel the Russian ambassador to Ireland because of the invasion of Ukraine.

However he has ruled out the move on the basis it would impede the Irish government's ability to aid its citizens abroad.

Russia on Monday called for France to provide protection for its diplomatic missions, after saying a Molotov cocktail was thrown at its science and cultural centre in Paris.

An "incendiary device" was thrown at the building, causing minimal damage, but no one was injured, according to a police source.