A businessman who sells religious products knocked the gates into the Russian embassy by reversing his truck over them as he urged the ambassador to “leave this country”.
Leitrim man Desmond Wisley, 49, told protesters he made the move after he saw pictures of the family killed in Irpin, Ukraine before being arrested outside the Orwell Road premises in south Dublin at around 1.30pm.
But the Russian Embassy branded the move as a “criminal act of insanity” and demanded that authorities upped security measures.
There have been repeated calls by the Government’s political rivals to expel Russian ambassador Yury Filatov as his native country slaughters innocent civilians in Ukraine.
A video of the incident shows Wisley reversing his truck which he uses for his business, Desmond Wisley Ecclesiastical Supplies, into the gates before stopping half way into the entrance.
He got out of the vehicle and began handing out pictures of the family who were victims of the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
He said: “It really affected me last night. I’m doing it for them.
“I want the ambassador and his colleagues to leave this country, to leave this free country.”
He added: “In Ireland we like justice. It’s about time we stood up.
“And we’re all sleeping cosy in our own houses, and we have to do something.
“I’m a working man and that’s my contribution today. And I’m glad I did it. I’m going to be arrested now shortly.”
A female garda then approached him and said: “I have to arrest you unfortunately for dangerous driving.”
Wisley, who identified himself to protestors at the scene, cooperated fully with the garda.
And as he was brought away, he said: “I’ve done my bit, lads. It’s about time the rest of Ireland done their bit.”
Wisley was brought to Rathfarnham Garda station where he remained last night.
He was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 and was being questioned over criminal damage.
Wisley can be held for 24 hours excluding breaks before a decision has to be made whether to charge or release him.
He runs Desmond Wisley Ecclesiastical Supplies, which sells religious products, including wine, bread, altar cloths, banners, candles and vestments.
When contacted last night, his wife Aileen Wisley, said she was unaware of the details of the incident and had not been talking to Desmond, but she did not know that he was going to drive into the gates of the embassy.
The Russian Embassy in Dublin has been picketed every day since the invasion of Ukraine began.
Red paint has been repeatedly thrown at the entrance of the property and it’s understood Monday's incident is seen as an escalation.
The embassy released a strong-worded statement slamming the incident as officials accused gardai of standing “idle” when it happened.
It stated: “The incident took place in the presence of Garda officers, who stood idle. The Embassy strongly condemns this criminal act of insanity directed against peaceful diplomatic mission.
“The Embassy views this incident as a clear and blatant violation of Article 22 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic relations of 1961.
“The Embassy is in contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland, demanding that the Irish authorities take comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of its staff and their family members.
“The incident is cause of extreme concern. We believe that no people of sound mind could support such senseless and barbaric actions.”
On Monday evening, the embassy claimed “additional measures have been undertaken” by gardai “to ensure safety and security of the embassy and its personnel.”
It added: “The embassy appreciates cooperation by the Irish authorities in this matter.”
It comes after a priest threw a tin of red paint at the Russian Embassy entrance last Friday because the invasion of Ukraine was “the work of Satan”.
Fr Fergal MacDonagh added he felt compelled to show his solidarity with people in the war-torn country after the shelling of a maternity hospital.
The parish priest of Dolphin’s Barn and Rialto in Dublin, who was directed to leave the area by a garda after he splattered the paint on the front gate, also revealed a group of Ukrainians clapped and thanked him.
He was told by gardai that he will receive a court summons for criminal damage.
