Three Arrested After Protesters Pelt Objects at Joe Biden During Dublin Visit
“To be able to come back to Ireland and be with my whole family, it means the world,” Hunter Biden said upon arriving at the event.
Three men were arrested after protesters pelted objects at former President Joe Biden outside Trinity College Dublin on Tuesday, according to Irish police. The incident occurred as the 83-year-old former president visited the university for a ceremony honoring his son, Hunter Biden, who received the college’s Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Public Discourse.
Arrests after public order incident
One man in his 50s has been charged and is scheduled to appear in court, while the other two men were released without charge, police stated on Wednesday.
The protest took place in the college’s Front Square, according to Catherine O’Mahony, a spokesperson for the university, who told NBC News that the situation escalated as the Biden family attempted to leave. She added that “the Biden family left without incident. The protest dispersed soon after.”
Video footage from the scene shows protesters waving Palestinian flags and chanting, “blood on your hands,” while scuffling with police officers. Fox News reported that at least one object was blocked by an umbrella near the former president before he was escorted into a vehicle. A white liquid, believed to be milk, was also observed being thrown toward the group. As the chaos unfolded, the motorcade quickly drove away.
Protesters Chant Slogans Against Biden Administration Policies
The demonstration was rooted in opposition to the Biden administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war, with activists frequently labeling the former president “Genocide Joe” during his time in office.
Protesters at Trinity College echoed these sentiments, with some chanting “guards off our campus” and “shame on you” as the family departed, RTE.ie reported. Witnesses said that “students were surrounding them and chanting ‘Genocide Joe’, ‘Shame on you’ and ‘guards off our campus’ among other things.”
Ireland has maintained a long history of public solidarity with the Palestinian cause, often drawing parallels between the situation in Gaza and the West Bank and Ireland’s own historical experience with British colonial rule.
Joe Biden was confronted by pro-Palestine protesters in Dublin, who were throwing milk in his direction and chanting “Genocide Joe”. The former US president visited Trinity College Dublin on Tuesday to attend a ceremony at which his son, Hunter Biden, was receiving an award. 🔗… pic.twitter.com/tSPBbp7a8L
Ceremony at the College Historical Society
The event itself was hosted by the College Historical Society, known as the Hist, which dates back to 1770. During his acceptance speech, Hunter Biden addressed the audience about his personal struggles with addiction and the challenges of living under public scrutiny. “We are living in an age of bullies,” he said, noting that he had learned this from “my own scars.”
The society said that it viewed the former president as a commendable figure for his advocacy regarding American politics, media, and recovery from addiction. Senator Ted Kennedy. Despite the disruption outside the Exam Hall, the college confirmed that the Biden family left the campus without further incident.
Biden Meets Micheál Martin to Discuss Irish Heritage
Outside of the university event, the former president and Jill Biden met with Taoiseach Micheál Martin. The meeting focused on Biden’s Irish heritage and his lifelong support for the country.
“We reflected on his strong Irish roots and previous visits, appreciating his lifelong support for Ireland,” Martin wrote in a post on X. It is understood that the pair also discussed the Northern Ireland peace process, the European Political Community meeting in Dublin, and Ireland’s hosting of the EU Presidency. Martin remarked, “But above all, his enduring friendship to Ireland and support for Ireland.”
The visit comes as the former president continues to manage his health following a diagnosis of an aggressive form of prostate cancer after he left office in January 2025.
Biden has been undergoing radiation and hormone therapy, noting in a recent social media update that while some days are better than others, the treatment schedule has necessitated scaling back his public appearances. Representatives for the former president did not provide further comment regarding the protest.
Very pleased to welcome former US President @JoeBiden and his family to Dublin. We reflected on his strong Irish roots and previous visits, appreciating his lifelong support for Ireland. pic.twitter.com/aol5ikpih5