Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

The Dáil chamber: ordinarily free from outside intruders. Wikimedia Commons

Ushers intervene to stop attempted Dáil invasion

A member of the public has to be held back by ushers after making it to the stop of the stairs leading to the Dáil chamber.

OIREACHTAS SECURITY STAFF were forced to intervene and stop a member of the public from gaining access to the Dáil chamber earlier today.

The man – who is understood to have been part of a visiting party to the Dáil – passed the usual security and made it to the top of the main staircase into the chamber at Leinster House before being intercepted.

The man was restrained by the parliamentary ushers – who were forced to hold him in an armlock – before he was removed from the building.

“Somebody attempted to breach the security within the House,” an Oireachtas spokesman confirmed. “He was dealt with by the staff, and all the usual procedures worked.”

The man’s motive for entering the chamber is not known. The incident occurred at the beginning of today’s Dáil business.

Entry to the Dáil chamber is restricted to members of the House and a small number of parliamentary and political staff.

Members of the press are permitted to sit in an adjoining gallery, while the public is only permitted to watch proceedings from an upper gallery which is screened off from the main chamber.

Members of the public are only permitted to enter the Leinster House complex if they have been given prior authorisation by a member of either the Dáil or Seanad.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
23 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brendan Brennan
    Favourite Brendan Brennan
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 10:40 PM

    I seen Barnardos run a fantastic online safety programme for kids. They do it with schools and with parents, which I believe parents need to know more about this also. Here’s a link to it on their website…. http://www.barnardos.ie/osp

    52
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Billy
    Favourite Billy
    Report
    Nov 6th 2020, 3:58 AM

    The Journal is one to talk about cyberbullying. If someone disagrees with you here they can call you every name under the sun, as long as their views are ‘liberal’. I’ve seen people here wish death on others for not wearing a face mask or for perceived ‘racism’ and getting hundreds of likes.

    40
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Walsh
    Favourite Mark Walsh
    Report
    Nov 6th 2020, 6:59 AM

    @Billy: You’re spot on Billy, people just come here to abuse people, I’m sure of it. There is no way they would open their mouths in the street. Children aren’t learning Online Bullying from themselves.

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute thesaltyurchin
    Favourite thesaltyurchin
    Report
    Nov 6th 2020, 1:27 PM

    @Billy: Right or left it’s all just shouting into the back of digital cupboard, the type of country we’re building is one of chips on shoulders, resent everyone, sue where you can, blame game, remember when the ‘Irish were a friendly, welcoming people?’ well that is clearly not what the majority of us want anymore.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Amiga Ireland
    Favourite Amiga Ireland
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 10:52 PM

    Bullying can be absolutely crushing and even moreso when the victim doesn’t have solid support at home and among other friends. Parents aren’t familiar with each other like we used to be. Devices create even more opportunities for bullys where the victims most private spaces at home are no longer a sanctuary.

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute WCS
    Favourite WCS
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 10:40 PM

    Cyber everything increased during lockdown

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vanessa
    Favourite Vanessa
    Report
    Nov 5th 2020, 11:10 PM

    Just sad to see that the bullying rates of the reviewed countries are the highest over here.

    I’m just wondering if parents are aware what their children doing online.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David Connell
    Favourite David Connell
    Report
    Nov 6th 2020, 12:46 AM

    Just block them or take the phones off the kids.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute hasnooneasked
    Favourite hasnooneasked
    Report
    Nov 6th 2020, 3:15 AM

    Why does it take Facebook so long to remove hateful and vile comments and videos. What is wrong with them and when you do report something that goes against community standards they than tell you it doesnt. So a video of someone being hateful and using absolute obscene laungauge to another person and being a bully seems to be ok in FB eyes

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute thesaltyurchin
    Favourite thesaltyurchin
    Report
    Nov 6th 2020, 1:27 PM

    Feel the hate.

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.