Protestors hit out at Bertie Ahern during a ceremony in DCU earlier today.
The Connolly Youth Movement have since uploaded footage of the incident to Twitter. The ceremony awarded both Bertie and peace campaigner Professor Monica Williams honorary doctorates for their work on the Good Friday Agreement, 25 years on from its initial signing.
A representative of the group interrupted from the audience after Bertie took to the podium to begin his speech. The unnamed protestor said that he could not let the event go ahead unchallenged and hit out at the Fianna Fail politician.
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The protestor said: "He is an architect of the financial crisis, which lost so many young people as a result of emigration and suicide."
The interruption received a combination of cheers and boos from the audience. Bertie Ahern did not interject as the protest unfolded but remained at the podium.
Connolly Youth Movement, who describe themselves as Ireland's largest revolutionary youth group online, defended their actions following the incident. They wrote on Twitter that the protest was carried out on behalf of the people of Ireland and hit out at "skyrocketing" living costs.
The ceremony was attended by DCU President Daire Keogh, who said both Mr Ahern and Professor Williams played "pivotal roles" in the formation of the Good Friday Agreement. The university recognised Connolly Youth Movement's right to protest in an offical statement.
A DCU spokesperson told Dublin Live: "Dublin City University acknowledges the protest made by the Connolly Youth Movement during today’s Honorary Graduation ceremony. As a university, we recognise their right to express their views; debate and differing ideas are the lifeblood of academia and our democracy at large.”
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