The Russian Embassy in Dublin has issued a strongly worded statement condemning the “violation of its territory” after a truck drove into its gates.

Describing the driver’s actions as a “criminal act of insanity”, the embassy also accused Gardaí of standing by “idle” while the incident took place. 

#Statement by the Embassy on the violation of its territory pic.twitter.com/AMCGKTzRsL

— Russia in Ireland (@Rus_Emb_Ireland) March 7, 2022

A man has since been arrested, security at the embassy upgraded and in a statement to Newstalk, a press officer for An Garda Síochána said: 

“Gardaí are investigating an incident of criminal damage that occurred at a property on Orwell Road this afternoon, Monday 7th March 2022 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 are ongoing.”

Protests

This is not the first time Russian diplomats in Ireland have complained about their treatment since the invasion of Ukraine. 

"At present, we're dealing with an extremely tense situation in the embassy,” Ambassador Yury Filatov said last week. 

“Our employees are constantly receiving death threats at their home addresses, by email and by telephone.” 

He continued: 

"For several days now protests have been taking place at the embassy with varying degrees of intensity, often violent and very aggressive.”

Main image: The Russian Ambassador to Ireland Yury Anatoliyevich. Picture by: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie