Usher foils security breach at Dáil sitting

A VISITOR to Leinster House was prevented by an usher from entering the Dáil chamber, where he said he wanted to address TDs about the activities of “secret police”.

The attempted security breach occurred as Dáil proceedings were being televised live on RTÉ 1 yesterday morning. The man was one of a number of individuals who joined an organised tour of the Houses of the Oireachtas.

He twice attempted to gain entrance to the chamber through the main door TDs use to access it. The first time he approached he was blocked by the usher and rejoined the tour.

When the group returned via the main entrance door of the Dáil again a few minutes later, the man charged the door of the chamber as Taoiseach Enda Kenny was answering Leaders’ Questions.

He crashed against the door but was blocked by the usher who put him in an armlock.

Another usher in the chamber, alerted by the noise, moved to assist his colleague and the man was escorted down the main stairs.

The visitor was signed in by a Minister of State. As he left the building the visitor told reporters he wanted to address the Dáil about “secret police operating in Ireland”. A spokesman for the Houses of the Oireachtas said the incident had been referred to An Garda Síochána.