Dublin: Arrests made after visit from former US President Biden

Multiple people were arrested as former US president Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Trinity College in Dublin on Tuesday, according to The Independent. Biden, 83, was accompanied by former first lady Jill Biden to a ceremony where their son, Hunter Biden, accepted the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution for Public Discourse from the College Historical Society, also known as the Hist. As Biden departed the venue, demonstrators and spectators gathered outside, and some people stepped forward to throw objects, including milk, as reported by RTE.ie and other outlets. Gardaí public order unit officers and vans were stationed at the site, and at least two people were arrested. Footage showed a garda using a baton on one of the protesters being detained, while Harper Alderson, editor of Trinity's University Times newspaper, told RTÉ's Drivetime that gardaí had used pepper spray on two protesters. The protest grew very large in the front square as cars moved through, with students surrounding them and chanting slogans such as 'Genocide Joe', 'Shame on you', and 'guards off our campus'. Trinity College Dublin Students' Union president Amy Kennedy gave a speech criticizing the event, while a joint statement from student unions condemned the police response and called for an investigation. DU History clarified on Instagram that their society had no role in planning or promoting the visit. Hunter Biden was convicted in the US of gun and tax crimes in June 2024 but was pardoned by his father later that year, and he expressed that he was honoured to be in Dublin with his family. Aside from the ceremony, Joe Biden met with Taoiseach Micheál Martin in a Dublin hotel to reflect on his Irish roots, the Northern Ireland peace process, and wider international affairs. Biden's appearance follows his recent announcement that he is scaling back promotional plans for his upcoming memoir, 'Promise Me, America', due to his treatment for aggressive prostate cancer that was diagnosed after he left office.