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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Dominic McGrath

Russian embassy accuses gardai of standing 'idle' as truck crashed through gates

A man has been arrested after a large lorry crashed into the gates of the Russian embassy in Dublin.

Gardai said the lorry hit the gates of the embassy on Orwell Road in south Dublin.

The embassy has been the scene of protests in recent days, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The incident happened at about 1.30pm on Monday, gardai said.

A garda spokesman said an incident of criminal damage at the property was being investigated.

Following the incident, gardai erected a barricade outside the embassy.

A guard said it was set up on "behalf of An Garda Siochana" and not at the request of the embassy.

The arrested man has been taken to Rathfarnham garda station.

A large truck crashed through the gates of the Russian embassy in south Dublin (Gareth Chaney/Collins)
A large truck crashed through the gates of the Russian embassy in south Dublin (Gareth Chaney/Collins)
A large truck crashed through the gates of the Russian embassy in south Dublin (Gareth Chaney/Collins)
Truck removed from the entrance of the Russian embassy (Gareth Chaney/Collins)
Truck removed from the entrance of the Russian embassy (Gareth Chaney/Collins)
Gardai at the scene after a truck was removed from the entrance of the Russian embassy (Gareth Chaney/Collins)
Gardai at the scene after a truck was removed from the entrance of the Russian embassy (Gareth Chaney/Collins)

In a statement, a spokeswoman for the Russian Embassy accused gardai of standing "idle" as the incident took place.

The embassy has also accused Ireland of breaching the Vienna Convention by not protecting the premises from any damage.

"A large truck came over to the gates of the Embassy, pulled back and torn down the gates of the Embassy. The incident took place in the presence of Garda officers, who stood idle.

"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 it's 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."

A short time later, a tow truck came to remove the lorry, with a number of onlookers gathered to watch.

A spokesperson for Desmond Wisley Ecclesiastical Supplies confirmed to the PA news agency that they were aware of the crash involving their lorry, but offered no further comment.

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