Cork eco-activists arrested over graffiti attack on Iveagh House in Dublin

Cleaners removing the Graffiti from Iveagh House Dublin this afternoon.Graffiti reading No More Empty Promises on the front of Iveagh House the Department of Foreign Affairs headquarters on Stephen's Green in Dublin today. Pictures:Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos

Two environmental activists from Cork have been arrested after a live-streamed graffiti attack on the landmark Department of Foreign Affairs offices in Dublin.

A man and a woman from Extinction Rebellion Cork threw red paint onto either side of the façade of Iveagh House before spraying graffiti with the words 'No More Empty Promises' multiple times around the entrance.

They captured it on their Facebook Page, which said that a member of the group involved was risking “violating” bail conditions.

The Extinction Rebellion Cork page said that March 19 was a global day of action called for by 'Fridays for Future'.

The post says: “The theme for the global strike was ‘No More Empty Promises’, a response to inaction on the climate crisis by global leaders.” 

In the post, the woman involved in the incident said: “I am targeting the Department of Foreign Affairs because the climate crisis is a global issue which we need to come together to solve. Ireland is on the UN Security Council.

“We have an opportunity to be leaders in climate action and justice."

In a statement, Garda HQ said: “A male in his 20s and female in her late teens have been arrested for an act of criminal damage that occurred on St Stephen's Green this afternoon, Friday 19 March 2021.

“They are currently being detained under the provisions of Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 at Kevin Street Garda station. Investigations are ongoing.” 

The Extinction Rebellion Cork page said that March 19 was a global day of action called for by 'Fridays for Future'.

It is understood that they are being questioned on suspicion of criminal damage.

The two people involved in the incident streamed a ten-minute video, in which they are seen carrying their material from St Stephen’s Green across the road to Iveagh House.

They lay a small banner on the steps saying 'No More Empty Promises' and said Friday 19 March was the 'International Fridays for Future Global Strike Day'.

The man filming the incident said: “We are fed up of governments saying and making climate targets and doing nothing about it. We had words and words and words, for more than 40 years. Enough is enough.” 

The red paint is thrown from a bucket onto one side of the façade, before being thrown from a separate bucket onto the other side.

The red paint is thrown from a bucket onto one side of the façade, before being thrown from a separate bucket onto the other side.

A red spray can is then used to smear the words 'No More Empty Promises' over the double doors and on the building either side.

The man said: “This is non violent direct action. We had enough and we need to step up again. This is a non-violent protest."

Towards the end of the video, two members of the public remonstrate with them and try and stop their actions, pointing out that they are “defacing public property”.

The last Government implementation report on the 2019 Climate Action Plan, published last December, claimed that 78% of the targets have been met.

It said headline measures achieved in the last quarter included a Community Enabling Framework in renewable energy auctions, the publication of a “Waste Action Plan for a Circular Economy” and steps to overcome barriers to afforestation.

It said the Covid-19 pandemic had caused delays in implementation in 2020.