Arrests as Joe Biden makes surprise Dublin visit

A small number of arrests have been made as former US president Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Trinity College in Dublin.

Mr Biden was joined by former first lady Jill Biden as they attended a ceremony during which their son, Hunter Biden, was awarded the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution for Public Discourse.

A group of protesters and onlookers gathered outside during the visit to the College Historical Society (HIST).

As Mr Biden left the venue, some people moved forward and objects were thrown.

A number of Gardaí public order unit vans and officers were on site and at least two arrests were made.

During his visit, the former US president also met Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

Hunter Biden was convicted in the US of gun and tax crimes in June 2024 but was pardoned by his father later that year while he was still president.

Former US president Joe Biden meets students during the visit (Niall Carson/PA)

PA Wire

Mr Martin met Mr Biden at the Merrion Hotel.

Speaking to the media later at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin, Mr Martin said he thanked Mr Biden for his support for Ireland.

“In the early years, he was a great supporter of the peace process, and then latterly he was a really strong supporter of Ireland in the context of Brexit,” he said.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin speaks to media Tallaght Stadium in Dublin on Tuesday evening. (Rebecca Black/PA)

“And if you recall, the prime minister Boris Johnson was leading the UK in a particular direction, and I think president Biden intervened at that time to say that any undermining of the Good Friday Agreement would mean any potential trade agreement between the US and the UK could simply not happen.

“These interventions at that time were particularly effective and impactful in a beneficial way for Ireland.”

The Taoiseach said they also reminisced about Mr Biden’s visit to Ireland in 2023 during which the then-US president voiced his backing for Mayo’s GAA side to win the All Ireland Senior Football Championship, which they went on to do earlier this year.

“I said eventually, Mayo for Sam came true, albeit a bit later than maybe the president would have liked,” he added.