Probe after graffiti sprayed on Department of Foreign Affairs building
Red paint was splattered on the facade of the building, along with messages against facilitating the US military to use Shannon Airport in the south-west of Ireland and a pro-Palestinian solidarity slogan.
The writing included: 'US military out of Shannon' and 'search the planes'.
A spokesman for the Department said it was aware of a 'security incident' outside the Iveagh House building early on Friday morning.
He said gardáí are 'actively following up on the matter'.
A spokesman for the gardaí confirmed an investigation had been launched.
'The alarm was raised shortly after 4am following paint damage to the building's front facade.
'The scene has undergone forensic examination, and inquiries are ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Pearse Street Garda Station at 01 666 9000 or the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111.'
The Department of Foreign Affairs on St Stephens Green being cleaned after red paint was thrown at the building . Picture: SAM BOAL/Collins Photos
US flights stopping off at Shannon Airport to refuel have long been an issue of contention in Ireland, as politicians and activists raise concerns that it makes Ireland complicit in US military actions.
Protests have been held at the airport over the Iraq War, Western intervention in Syria, and more recently over US support for Israel during its military operation in Gaza.
In recent months, there have been reports that flights carrying munitions to weapons manufacturers and contractors in Israel have travelled through Irish airspace.
Permission is needed from the Transport Minister to carry munitions over Ireland.
Earlier this year, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said landing facilities have been made available to the US and other foreign militaries for decades.
He said: 'Arrangements for foreign military aircraft to land in Irish airports are governed by strict conditions, including stipulations that the aircraft is unarmed; that it carries no arms, ammunition or explosives; that it does not engage in intelligence gathering; and that the flight in question does not form part of a military exercise or operation.'
Mr Martin, who made the comments while he was deputy premier and minister for foreign affairs, added: 'Ireland's traditional policy of military neutrality is fully consistent with foreign military and state aircrafts being allowed to enter Irish sovereign territory under certain circumstances. '
Ireland is also examining a report that a flight carrying deportees from the US to Africa stopped at Shannon Airport.
Read More
At least 40 killed by Israeli strikes in northern Gaza Strip, officials say
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
15 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
What deal might emerge from the Trump-Putin summit?
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss a possible deal to end the war in Ukraine when they meet on Friday in Alaska for a summit that is also likely to affect wider European security. European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky plan to speak with Mr Trump tomorrow amid fears that Washington, hitherto Ukraine's leading arms supplier, may seek to dictate unfavourable peace terms to Kyiv. What kind of deal could emerge from summit? Mr Trump said last Friday that there would be "some swapping of territories to the betterment of both". This prompted consternation in Kyiv and European capitals that Russia could be rewarded for 11 years of efforts - the last three in full-blown war - to seize Ukrainian land. It occupies about 19% of Ukraine. Ukraine controls no Russian territory. "It's a reasonable concern to think that Trump will be bamboozled by Putin and cut a terrible deal at Ukraine's expense," said Daniel Fried, a former senior US diplomat now with the Atlantic Council think-tank. But "better outcomes" for Ukraine were possible if Mr Trump and his team "wake up to the fact that Putin is still playing them". One could entail agreeing an "armistice line" instead of a transfer of territory, with only de facto - not legal - recognition of Russia's current gains. Any sustainable peace deal would also have to tackle such issues as future security guarantees for Ukraine, its aspirations to join NATO, the restrictions demanded by Moscow on the size of its military, and the future of Western sanctions on Russia. Mr Trump has not commented on those issues since announcing the summit with Mr Putin, though his administration has said Ukraine cannot join NATO. Diplomats say there is an outside possibility that Mr Trump might instead strike a unilateral deal with Mr Putin, prioritising lucrative energy contracts and potential arms control accords. Mr Trump himself has said he might conclude in Alaska that a Ukraine peace deal cannot be done. The White House did not respond to a request for comment on the possibility of Mr Trump clinching a unilateral deal with Mr Putin. What if Ukraine objects to any Trump-Putin deal? Mr Trump would face strong resistance from Mr Zelensky and his European allies if any deal expected Ukraine to cede territory. Mr Zelensky says Ukraine's constitution prohibits such an outcome unless there is a referendum to change it. Mr Trump could try to coerce Kyiv to accept such a deal by threatening to stop arms supplies and intelligence sharing. But analysts say there is more chance Ukraine might accept a freezing of battlelines and an unstable, legally non-binding partition. One European official told Reuters that, even if Mr Trump did renege on recent promises to resume arms supplies to Ukraine, he was likely to continue allowing Europe to buy US weapons on Ukraine's behalf. "The loss of US intelligence capabilities would be the hardest element to replace. Europe can't even come close to providing that support," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity. How might a deal affect Trump's support at home? There would be big political risks in the US for Mr Trump in abandoning Ukraine, said John Herbst, a former US ambassador to Kyiv, now with the Atlantic Council. This would portray him as "an accomplice" in Putin's attack on Ukraine. "I don't think Trump wants to be seen that way, for sure," he said. Despite his strong political position at home, Mr Trump would also come under fire even from parts of the American right if he were to be seen as caving in to Russia. "To reward Putin ... would be to send the exact opposite message that we must be sending to dictators, and would-be-dictators, across the globe," Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican lawmaker and former FBI agent, said on X last week. How might Ukraine's European allies respond? EU member states have said that Ukraine must be free to decide its own future and that they were ready to contribute further to security guarantees for Kyiv. Oana Lungescu, a former NATO spokesperson now with the RUSI think-tank, said European states must move much faster to arm Ukraine, and start EU accession talks in September. Jana Kobzova, senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said that "... if an unacceptable deal emerges from Alaska, European capitals will go into yet another diplomatic and charm offensive vis-a-vis Trump". "European leaders are increasingly aware that the future of Ukraine's security is inseparable from that of the rest of Europe - and they can't let Putin alone decide its future shape and form."
Extra.ie
15 minutes ago
- Extra.ie
'You just never know' -- Daithí Ó Sé hints at presidential ambitions
Dáithí Ó Sé has finally addressed speculation about a tilt at Áras an Uachtaráin — and it seems voters will be waiting a while yet. The beloved Kerry-born presenter, who recently admitted he's had his eye on Ireland's top job, made it clear at the launch of this year's Rose of Tralee that there'll be no imminent presidential bid. Chatting to press on Tuesday, Dáithí did however open up on his intentions behind a potential political run. Dáithí Ó Sé has finally addressed speculation about a tilt at Áras an Uachtaráin — and it seems voters will be waiting a while yet. Pic: Domnick Walsh 'It's something that everybody who is in the public eye or a public servant should at least think about it,' Dáithí told the media at the MV Cill Airne in Dublin. He continued: 'Just think about it [running] because it is the top job in the whole country. You're an ambassador for the country at home, you're an ambassador for the country all around. 'You are a custodian of the Constitution…and to turn around at this point to say that I wouldn't be interested would be wrong. Would I be interested in seven years? You just never know.' Chatting to press on Tuesday, Dáithí did however open up on his intentions behind a potential political Domnick Walsh Keeping him humble, the star's Rose of Tralee co-host Kathryn Thomas chimed in with: 'He's going for James Bond first.' 'He's a man of the people, and everyone loves Dáithí, he's very Irish, and I think he'd be brilliant in the role,' she said, confirming he has her vote in the future. The broadcaster first expressed an interest in the presidency in an interview with The Times, however it seems now may not be the right time for a change of pace. For now, Dáithí's bid for the Áras will have to take a backseat as the Rose of Tralee fast approaches. The annual festival will be aired on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on August 19 and 20.
Irish Independent
34 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Gardaí to increase patrols in ‘key locations' as President Michael D Higgins condemns ‘despicable attacks' on the Indian community'
Today at 10:01 Gardaí will increase patrols in 'key locations' in Dublin and are 'examining certain online content' in the aftermath of a number of recent attacks on members of the Indian community. It comes as India Day has been postponed in the aftermath of such incidents, with President Michael D Higgins today condemning 'despicable attacks on members of the Indian community' as he expressed a 'deep sense of gratitude' for their contribution to Irish society.
