DUBLIN, Nov. 11 (Xinhua) -- Protests broke out at Trinity College Dublin on Tuesday during a surprise visit by former U.S. President Joe Biden, with Irish police making arrests, local media reported.
Biden, accompanied by his wife Jill Biden, attended a ceremony at which their son, Hunter Biden, received the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Public Discourse from the university's College Historical Society.
Protestors delivered speeches criticising Biden's visit and his administration's handling of the conflict in Gaza, while demonstrators chanted slogans such as "Shame on you" and "Free Palestine."
Irish police confirmed to local media that officers had responded to reports of an incident at Trinity College Dublin, but provided no further details.
The protest came as Dublin prepared for further demonstrations during two major European meetings later this week. Ireland will host the European Political Community summit on Thursday and an informal meeting of EU leaders on Friday. Irish police have launched the largest security operation in the country's history, with heightened security measures and restrictions around the meeting venues. ■