Former President Joe Biden and his wife Jill were met by furious Palestinian demonstrators during a visit to Trinity College in Dublin on Tuesday. The protesters chanted “Genocide Joe” and threw objects at the entourage. Irish police had to intervene when several people tried to push their way through to the former president. Three people were arrested.
Joe Biden (83) had arrived in Ireland unannounced with his wife Jill to attend an awards ceremony for his son Hunter Biden at the historic Trinity College in Dublin.
As the family were leaving the university on Tuesday afternoon, pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered around the motorcade. Several shouted “Genocide Joe”, “Shame on you” and “Blood on your hands”. The demonstrators were protesting against Biden’s support for Israel during the Gaza war.
The Irish national broadcaster RTÉ reported that several demonstrators attempted to reach the presidential motorcade, whilst objects, including milk cartons, were thrown. Security guards used umbrellas to shield Biden, whilst Irish police intervened against the demonstrators. Footage from the scene shows police officers pinning several people to the ground. No injuries have been reported amongst members of the Biden family.
According to The Journal, two protesters attempted to push their way through the crowd towards the former president. A total of three people were arrested in connection with the disturbances. A man in his 50s has been charged, whilst the other two were released.
Objects were thrown as former US President Joe Biden and Jill Biden left Trinity College Dublin today.
Pro-Palestinian protesters had gathered outside, and the Gardaí arrested at least two people. https://t.co/GxS2NuHUlj
— Clash Report (@clashreport) 10 November 2026
Son Hunter honoured with gold medal
The reason for the visit was an awards ceremony for Hunter Biden, who received the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Public Discourse – a gold medal for outstanding contributions to public debate. The award was presented by the College Historical Society, one of the world’s oldest student debating societies, founded in 1770. The society cited Hunter Biden’s contributions to the debate on American politics and the media, as well as his commitment to issues of substance abuse and rehabilitation, as the reasons for the award.
The prize was thus awarded to a man who, in 2024, was convicted of federal firearms and tax offences in the US. Before Joe Biden left the White House, he pardoned his son for these and other potential federal offences committed within a specified period.
Previous recipients of the gold medal include Desmond Tutu, Julian Assange, Bob Geldof and former Irish President Michael D. Higgins.
Criticism of the police’s use of force
The incident has also sparked debate about the Irish police’s handling of the protesters. Video footage shows a police officer striking a protester with a baton whilst the protester is being held down by the police. The Irish civil liberties organisation, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL), has responded to the footage and questioned whether the use of force was necessary and proportionate. The Irish Times also reports that the College Historical Society felt that some demonstrators had crossed the line of peaceful protest and provoked a confrontation.
Joe Biden also met Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin during his visit. Martin later spoke positively about the meeting and highlighted the former president’s strong ties to Ireland.
Biden has recently scaled back his public engagements as a result of treatment for prostate cancer.
From a public celebration to Palestine protests
When Joe Biden visited Ireland as president in April 2023, he was greeted with cheers and huge crowds. Around 27,000 people gathered in Ballina, where Biden celebrated his Irish roots and gave a speech in front of St Muredach’s Cathedral. Three and a half years later, the reception at Trinity College in Dublin was far less warm.
Donald Trump also faced widespread protests when he visited Ireland in September this year. Thousands marched through Dublin in protest against the US president, with Palestine activists among the organisers. Demonstrations were also held at Shannon Airport and Trump’s golf resort in Doonbeg.
Thus, both the former and the current US presidents have been met with pro-Palestine protests during their visits to Ireland this autumn. At Trinity College, the confrontation escalated into clashes with the police and several arrests.
