A truck belonging to a church supplies firm drove through the gates of the Russian embassy in Dublin today.
Video footage shows a large supply truck belonging to Desmond Wisley Ecclesiastical Supplies reversing through the gate.
People with posters stood at the gate and filmed how the truck crashed into the gates of the Russian embassy.
The man was arrested and detained at Rathfarnham Garda police station following the incident, which took place around 13:30 on Monday, according to Garda.
Video footage shows a large supply truck belonging to Desmond Wisley Ecclesiastical Supplies reversing through the gate.
The force said it was investigating the criminal damage incident and added that investigations were ongoing.
The scene of the incident has been cordoned off, roads near the embassy remain closed. No casualties were reported following the incident in south Dublin.
A spokesman for Garda added: “Gardai is investigating a criminal damage incident that occurred at an Orwell Road property this afternoon, Monday, March 7, 2022 at approximately 1:30 pm.
“One man was arrested and taken to Rathfarnham Police Station, where he is currently being held under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.
“Investigations are ongoing.”
In a statement, a Russian embassy spokeswoman accused the Irish police of “inaction” during the incident.
She added: “A big truck drove up to the embassy gate, drove back and knocked down the embassy gate. The incident took place in the presence of Guard personnel who were inactive.
“The Embassy strongly condemns this criminal act of insanity directed against a peaceful diplomatic mission.
The force said it was investigating the criminal damage incident and added that investigations were ongoing. In the photo: the van after it crashed into the gate
“The Embassy views this incident as a clear and flagrant violation of Article 22 of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
“The Embassy is in contact with the Irish Foreign Office, demanding that the Irish authorities take comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of their employees and their families.
“The incident is of extreme concern. We believe that such senseless and barbaric actions would not be supported by any people in their right mind.”
A spokesman for Desmond Wisley Ecclesiastical Supplies confirmed to the PA news agency that they are aware of the accident involving their truck, but did not comment further.
MailOnline has contacted Desmond Wisley Ecclesiastical Supplies for further comment.
The Russian embassy in Dublin has been the subject of a string of anti-war protests in support of Ukraine following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of the country 11 days ago.
Protests also took place outside Russian embassies in other cities, including London, Berlin, Paris, Copenhagen and Tokyo.
The Russian embassy (pictured February 24 covered in paint) witnessed a string of anti-war protests in support of Ukraine following Vladimir Putin’s invasion of the country 11 days ago.
On Saturday, the priest poured red paint over the Russian embassy in Dublin and called on the people of Ireland to continue protesting against the war in Ukraine.
Father Fergal McDonagh of Dolphins Barn Parish in southwest Dublin poured paint on the gates of the Russian embassy on Friday to protest the invasion.
The organizers thanked him for his action on Saturday and invited him to speak at the rally.
“Yesterday morning, when I woke up, I heard on the radio that a maternity hospital had been bombed in Ukraine at night,” he said.
“This is terrible and terrible and this is a work for evil, what is happening in Ukraine is a war crime and Putin will face justice in this world or the next.”
He added: “I have been scared, worried and worried all week, all the last 10 days. We must protest, the people of Ukraine must know that they are not alone.”
Crowds again gathered outside the Russian embassy in Dublin on Sunday to denounce the invasion and call for the expulsion of Russia’s ambassador to Ireland, Yuri Filatov.
Meanwhile, a government minister confirmed that the number of Ukrainian refugees arriving in Ireland could exceed 80,000.
Anti-war protesters from the People Before Profit party outside the Russian embassy in Dublin demonstrate against the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 28.
James Brown, Minister of State at the Justice Department, said the mass exodus of people from Ukraine had not been seen in Europe since the end of World War II.
“The last time we saw a movement like this to such an extent in Europe was at the end of World War II, when we saw a huge movement of Germans who became refugees at the end of that war,” Mr. Brown told The Week in Politics on RTE channel.
“We haven’t seen anything like it since.
“Now we have learned a lot in recent years in terms of dealing with the pandemic, and we know that we have this capacity, and this generosity and ability at home to mobilize when we need to in the face of a very, very serious situation.
“But right now we are potentially looking at 80,000+ and there will be no limits on those numbers coming into this country.”
His comments came after the UN announced that more than 1.5 million people had fled Ukraine following the Russian invasion.
The updated estimate of the number of refugees expected in Ireland comes amid government efforts to boost domestic grain production in response to an expected major disruption to supplies from Ukraine and Russia.
To date, about 1,400 people have arrived in Ireland, although many of them live with relatives who already lived in the country.