A businessman who sells religious products reversed into the gates of the Russian Embassy in Dublin yesterday and told 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.
He was arrested outside the Orwell Road premises in South Dublin at around 1.30pm yesterday.
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 yesterday shows Wisley reversing his truck which he uses for his business, Desmond Wisley Ecclesiastical Supplies, into the gates before stopping halfway into the entrance.
He gets out of the vehicle and begins handing out pictures of the family who were victims to 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. 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 done 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.” Mr Wisley, who identified himself to protesters at the scene, co-operated fully.
As he was taken away, he said: “I’ve done my bit, lads. It’s about time the rest of Ireland done their bit.”
Mr Wisley was brought to Rathfarnham Garda station where he remained last night.
He was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. He is expected to be brought before a sitting of Tallaght District Court this morning where he will face charges in connection with the incident
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 yesterday’s
incident is seen by Irish authorities as an escalation.
Yesterday, the Embassy released a strongly worded statement slamming the incident as they accused gardai as standing “idle” when it happened.
It said: “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 the 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 it’s 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.”
Yesterday evening, they said "additional measures had been undertaken” by gardai “to ensure safety and security of the embassy and its personnel”.
It added: “The embassy appreciates co-operation by the Irish authorities in this matter.”
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