Department of Foreign Affairs HQ targeted again by protesters

Red paint thrown on exterior of Iveagh House overnight was being removed on Monday

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade offices were cleaned on Monday morning following red paint being thrown over the façade.  Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade offices were cleaned on Monday morning following red paint being thrown over the façade. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times

Gardaí are investigating after the Department of Foreign Affairs’ headquarters in Dublin city centre was daubed with red paint again.

The alarm was raised shortly after 4am on Monday when staff became aware of paint damage to the front facade of Iveagh House on St Stephen’s Green. Workers were present later on Monday washing the paint off the building.

The department said it was aware of “a security incident outside of Iveagh House early this morning”.

“An Garda Síochána was contacted and is actively following up on the matter,” a spokesman for the department said.

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A cleanup operation took place on Monday morning. Video: Nick Bradshaw

The incident comes after Gaza protest graffiti was daubed on Iveagh House last August. “Gaza BDS now” – a reference to the international Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions campaign led by supporters of the Palestinian cause against Israel – was painted in red on the building at the time.

In November 2023, red paint was thrown on Iveagh House during a pro-Palestine demonstration. The then tánaiste and minister for foreign affairs, Micheál Martin, strongly criticised the act at the time and highlighted the role Irish diplomats have played in the Middle Eastern crisis.

Gardaí at Pearse Street launched an investigation into the latest incident, the force confirmed on Monday.

“The scene has undergone forensic examination and inquiries are ongoing,” a Garda spokesman said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Pearse Street Garda station on 01 666 9000 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.

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Sarah Burns

Sarah Burns

Sarah Burns is a reporter for The Irish Times