Ireland Two arrested at public order protest outside Trinity College Dublin
Two people were arrested on 10 November 2026 after pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside Trinity College Dublin during a surprise visit by former US president Joe Biden and Jill Biden to attend a ceremony where their son Hunter Biden was awarded the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution for Public Discourse. Objects including milk were thrown as the Bidens left the venue, and a garda used a baton on one of the protesters being detained while pepper spray was reportedly used on two others. Garda public order unit vans and officers were on site at the College Historical Society in Dublin 2. No further court details have been reported as of the latest updates.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested10 Nov
5 reports - Charged11 Nov
2 reports - In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Two people were arrested after pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside Trinity College Dublin during Joe Biden's surprise visit.
- Objects including milk were thrown as the Bidens left the venue.
- A garda used a baton on one of the protesters being detained and pepper spray was reportedly used on two protesters.
- Where
- The incident took place at the College Historical Society, Trinity College, Dublin 2.
- When
- The incident occurred on 10 November 2026.
- Cause
- The protest was sparked by the surprise visit of former US president Joe Biden to attend a ceremony where Hunter Biden was awarded the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution for Public Discourse.
- Investigation
- Garda public order unit vans and officers were on site and responded to reports of the incident.
- Other details
- Joe Biden was accompanied by Jill Biden and met Taoiseach Micheál Martin during the visit.
- Students chanted 'Genocide Joe', 'Shame on you' and 'guards off our campus' during the protest.
65 statements extracted from the articles
- whatTwo arrests were made after protesters and onlookers gathered outside Trinity College Dublin during Joe Biden's visit (rte.ie)
- whatJoe Biden attended a ceremony where his son Hunter was awarded the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution for Public Discourse (rte.ie)
- whatJill Biden accompanied Joe Biden to the event (rte.ie)
- whatPro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the event to voice opposition (rte.ie)
- whatObjects including milk were thrown as the Bidens left the venue (rte.ie)
- whatGarda public order unit vans and officers were on site and at least two arrests were made (rte.ie)
- whatA garda used a baton on one of the protesters being detained (rte.ie)
- whatPepper spray was reportedly used on two protesters (rte.ie)
- whatStudents chanted 'Genocide Joe', 'Shame on you' and 'guards off our campus' (rte.ie)
- whatTwo people were arrested during a protest at Trinity College Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
- whatProtesters delivered anti-war speeches at the venue. (thejournal.ie)
- whatAround six gardaí tackled two protesters and put them to the ground. (thejournal.ie)
- whatObjects were thrown as Biden left the venue. (thejournal.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatA number of gardaí public order unit vans and officers were on site. (thejournal.ie)
- whatJoe Biden made a surprise visit to Trinity College in Dublin (irishmirror.ie)
- whatA small number of arrests were made (irishmirror.ie)
- whatJill Biden accompanied Joe Biden to the ceremony (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- whatHunter Biden was awarded the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution for Public Discourse (irishmirror.ie)
- whatProtestors and onlookers gathered outside during the visit to the College Historical Society (irishmirror.ie)
- whatGardaí public order unit vans and officers were on site (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAt least two arrests were made (irishmirror.ie)
- whatJoe Biden met with Taoiseach Micheál Martin during the visit (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAt least two people were arrested during the incident (dublinlive.ie)
- whatObjects were thrown as Biden departed the venue (dublinlive.ie)
- whatTwo people were arrested after a protest formed outside Trinity College during Biden's surprise visit (extra.ie)
- whatHunter Biden was awarded the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Public Discourse (extra.ie)
- whatPro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the university (extra.ie)
- whatObjects like milk were thrown at the 83-year-old Biden (extra.ie)
- whatGarda public order unit vans and officers were on site making at least two arrests (extra.ie)
- whatTwo men in their 50s were arrested after rushing Joe Biden as he left Trinity College. (thejournal.ie)
- whatBiden and his family accompanied Hunter Biden to receive a gold medal at an event organised by The Hist. (thejournal.ie)
- whatA small group of protesters carrying Palestinian, Irish and Starry Plough flags gathered at Trinity College Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
- whatTwo protesters pushed through the crowd and allegedly attempted to reach the former president. (thejournal.ie)
- whatMilk cartons were thrown at the vehicle Biden was getting into. (thejournal.ie)
- whatClose protection officers shielded Joe Biden with umbrellas. (thejournal.ie)
- whatThe two men were wrestled to the ground by gardaí and handcuffed. (thejournal.ie)
- whatUniform gardaí and members of the Public Order Unit were deployed to the college. (thejournal.ie)
- whatDemonstrators shouted slogans including 'blood, blood on your hands' and 'shame on you'. (thejournal.ie)
- whatObjects were thrown as Biden's motorcade left the grounds, according to police quoted by ABC. (thejournal.ie)
- whatAl Jazeera reported that milk and other items were thrown by protesters. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe incident took place in Trinity College, Dublin 2. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe ceremony took place at the College Historical Society (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe protest took place on Tuesday during Joe Biden's visit to Trinity College Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
- causeThe protest was sparked by the surprise visit of former US president Joe Biden. (thejournal.ie)
- weaponOne garda used a baton on one of the protesters being detained. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationGardaí responded to reports of an incident in Trinity College, Dublin 2, on 10 November 2026, with no further information given. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationSeveral Gardaí public order unit vans and officers were present at the venue (dublinlive.ie)
- chargeOne of the men has been charged and is due to appear in court (extra.ie)
- chargeAn Garda Síochána arrested two adult males aged in their 50s in relation to a public order incident at Trinity College Dublin. (thejournal.ie)
- chargeA male aged in his 50s has been charged and is due to appear before court. (thejournal.ie)
- otherHunter Biden was convicted in the US of gun and tax crimes in June 2024 and pardoned by his father later that year (rte.ie)
- otherThe College Historical Society was founded in 1770 (rte.ie)
- otherJoe Biden was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer in May 2025 (rte.ie)
- otherThe Bidens met Taoiseach Micheál Martin in a Dublin hotel (rte.ie)
- otherMartin and Biden discussed the Northern Ireland peace process, the European Political Community meeting, and Ireland's EU Presidency (rte.ie)
- otherHunter Biden was convicted in the US of gun and tax crimes in June 2024 (irishmirror.ie)
- otherHunter Biden was pardoned by his father later in 2024 while Biden was still president (irishmirror.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- otherHunter Biden received the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution for Public Discourse (dublinlive.ie)
- otherBiden held talks with Taoiseach Micheál Martin during the visit (dublinlive.ie)
- otherHunter Biden was found guilty in the US of gun and tax crimes in June 2024 (dublinlive.ie)
- otherJoe Biden is undergoing treatment for aggressive prostate cancer (extra.ie)
- otherIn May 2025, Biden announced the cancer had spread to his bones (extra.ie)
- otherThe Taoiseach met Biden in The Merrion Hotel the previous day. (thejournal.ie)
- otherBiden was visiting Dublin as his son Hunter received an award at an event organised by The Hist. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe protest scenes were reported by international media including ABC, the New York Times, CBS, NBC and Al Jazeera. (thejournal.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 11 Nov2026Protests against Joe Biden’s surprise visit to Trinity picked up across international media
Adds that the protest and arrests received international media coverage, that demonstrators shouted slogans, and that objects including milk were thrown as Biden's motorcade left.
suspectsuspect - 11 Nov2026Man in his 50s charged after scuffles and protests during Joe Biden visit to Trinity College
Confirms that one of the two arrested men (in his 50s) has been charged and is due to appear before court. Adds detail that milk cartons were thrown at Biden's vehicle, close protection officers used umbrellas, and the two men were wrestled to the ground and handcuffed by gardaí.
suspect, 50s, malesuspect, 50s, maleother, Joe Biden, maleJoe Bidenother, Hunter Biden, maleHunter Biden - 11 Nov2026Gardaí arrest two men amid protest against Joe Biden's visit to Trinity College
One of the two arrested men has been charged and is due to appear in court; Harper Alderson of Trinity's University Times claimed gardaí used pepper spray on two protesters.
suspect, malesuspect, maleother, Harper Alderson, femaleHarper Aldersonother, Joe Biden, 83, male, AmericanJoe Bidenother, Hunter Biden, male, AmericanHunter Bidenother, female, American - 10 Nov2026At least two arrested following Joe Biden visits to Trinity College
Confirms at least two arrests and adds that Biden was accompanied by Jill Biden, that Hunter Biden received the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution for Public Discourse at the College Historical Society, and that Biden held talks with Taoiseach Micheál Martin during the visit.
suspectsuspect - 10 Nov2026Arrests as Joe Biden makes surprise Dublin visit
Confirms at least two arrests, adds that Jill Biden accompanied Joe Biden, that Hunter Biden was awarded the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution for Public Discourse at the College Historical Society, that objects were thrown as Biden left, that public order unit vans and officers were on site, and that Biden met Taoiseach Micheál Martin during the visit.
suspectsuspect - 10 Nov2026'Blood on your hands': Two detained at TCD protest sparked by Joe Biden’s surprise visit
Reports the detention of two protesters during a Pro Palestine demonstration at Trinity College Dublin, including the use of a baton by a garda on one of the detainees.
accusedaccused - 10 Nov2026Two arrested after Joe Biden makes surprise Dublin visit
Provides more detail on the protest: objects including milk were thrown, a garda used a baton on one detained protester, pepper spray was reportedly used on two protesters, and students chanted 'Genocide Joe', 'Shame on you' and 'guards off our campus'. Also reports the Bidens met Taoiseach Micheál Martin in a Dublin hotel.
suspectsuspect
Changed after publication
facts outlets added, removed or correctedthejournal.ie, 12 Nov 2026, 00:01: Protests against Joe Biden’s surprise visit to Trinity picked up across international media
- CorrectedThe Healy-Rae firm was paid €1.38m for accommodating Ukrainians since 2022, not €1.87m. (was Healy-Rae firm paid €1.87m for accommodating Ukrainians since 2022, with payments halved this year, now Healy-Rae firm paid €1.38m for accommodating Ukrainians since 2022, with payments halved this year)
thejournal.ie, 11 Nov 2026, 17:25: Man in his 50s charged after scuffles and protests during Joe Biden visit to Trinity College
- CorrectedThe timing of the Taoiseach's meeting with Biden at The Merrion Hotel was changed from 'earlier today' to 'yesterday' (was The Taoiseach met Biden in The Merrion Hotel earlier today, now The Taoiseach met Biden in The Merrion Hotel yesterday)
thejournal.ie, 10 Nov 2026, 23:28: 'Blood on your hands': Two detained at TCD protest sparked by Joe Biden’s surprise visit
- AddedHunter Biden is now mentioned as part of the visit to Trinity College
thejournal.ie, 10 Nov 2026, 20:26: 'Blood on your hands': Two detained at TCD protest sparked by Joe Biden’s surprise visit
- CorrectedThe subject of the reader clash was changed from Biden's political legacy to the Trinity College gold medal (was Readers clash over Joe Biden's visit to Trinity College and his political legacy., now Readers clash over Joe Biden's visit and Trinity College gold medal)
- CorrectedThe specific conflict cited by critics was changed from general international conflicts to Gaza, and the label 'genocide Joe' was added (was Critics brand him a war criminal over international conflicts., now Critics condemn his role in Gaza and label him genocide Joe)
thejournal.ie, 10 Nov 2026, 18:25: 'Blood on your hands': Two detained at TCD protest sparked by Joe Biden’s surprise visit
- AddedObjects were thrown as Biden left the venue
- AddedAt least two arrests were made at the TCD protest
- AddedThe Taoiseach met Biden at The Merrion Hotel where they had coffee and discussed the Northern Ireland peace process, ongoing reconciliation, the Garvaghy Road, the EPC and EU presidency
- CorrectedHunter Biden's Gold Medal award changed from future to past tense, indicating it had already taken place (was Hunter Biden will receive the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Public Discourse., now Hunter Biden received the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Public Discourse from The Hist.)
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