Irish president accosted in Dublin state home by protester

"To describe this as an embarrassment to those responsible for the President's security would be an understatement."

Saturday 22 September 2018 15:52, UK

DUBLIN, IRELAND - MARCH 27: President Michael D. Higgins stands with the Second Brigade Cavalry Squad at Aras an Uachtarain as he prepares to leave with the cavalcade before attending the Easter Sunday Commemoration Ceremony on March 27, 2016 in Dublin, Ireland. Today marks the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising in the Republic of Ireland when in 1916 a rebellion was attempted to oust British rule of the country. (Photo by Maxwells/Irish Government - Pool/Getty Images)
Image: A housing protester evaded security to intrude into the president of Ireland's official residence
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Security is being reviewed at the official residence of the president of Ireland after a housing protester walked in unchallenged and accosted the 77-year-old, according to reports.

On Friday, a middle-aged woman was reportedly able to drive to Aras an Uachtarain and walk through the security cordon unchallenged into the president's official home and workplace.

President Michael D Higgins was reportedly working in an office near the main lobby when the woman accosted him, although he was not attacked or assaulted.

According to the Irish Daily Mail, the president "calmly tried to defuse the situation until the gardai arrived."

To describe this as an embarrassment to those responsible for the President's security would be an understatement.
Senior Ireland Correspondent, David Blevins

Sky's Senior Ireland Correspondent David Blevins said: "To describe this as an embarrassment to those responsible for the president's security would be an understatement.

"Michael D Higgins is Ireland's Head of State so this is on a par with the Queen encountering an intruder in her bedroom at Buckingham Palace in 1982.

"Given the level of the international terror threat, there will have to be a significant review of security around the president in the wake of this."

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STRATFORD-UPON-AVON, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 11: Irish President Michael D. Higgins during a visit to Shakespeare's Birthplace on April 11, 2014 in Statford-upon-Avon, England. Ireland's Michael D. Higgins is making the first state visit by a president of the republic since it gained independence from neighbouring Britain. The visit comes three years after Queen Elizabeth II made a groundbreaking trip to the republic, which helped to heal deep-rooted unease and put British-Irish relations on a ne
Image: President Higgins 'calmly tried to defuse the situation' according to reports

A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana said the Irish police force did "not comment on the detail of security arrangements for the president".

However, they added: "Following a recent incident at Aras an Uachtarain, a chief superintendent is conducting a review of security measures and another chief superintendent is investigating the incident."

Irish public broadcaster RTE reported that the front gates to the building were open because of maintenance work, and that the investigation will query why the woman was not stopped at the gate or at any other point before reaching Mr Higgins.

The woman was not arrested as "the president did not want the matter to be taken further" according to reports.

The president's media office has declined to comment.

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