Statement by the Embassy of Russia in Ireland

On May 3, 2024, the jury in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court reached a decision in the trial of Desmond Wisley, who on March 7, 2022, crushed the gates of the Embassy of Russia in Ireland with his truck. The jury returned a not guilty verdict in relation to the dangerous driving charge against the defendant. The other count – criminal damage – is to be examined by the court at a later date.

         The Embassy regrets this decision by the jury, considers it politically motivated and taken under the influence of rabid anti-Russian propaganda, promoted by both the state and the media of Ireland. This decision is not based on facts on the matter and allows the perpetrator to be exonerated of his clearly extremist actions. Furthermore, it sets dangerous precedent, essentially sending a signal that it is somehow OK to attack a foreign diplomatic mission whenever someone feels like it. The Embassy reminds that its compound is not only an office building, but also living quarters for the Embassy’s staff and their families, including women and children, who could have been put in harm’s way by the reckless behavior of Mr. Wisley.

         In our view the course taken by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court means that the Irish side has once again failed to comply with its obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, by not only failing to provide sufficient security to the Embassy and its diplomatic property in the first place, but also by not bringing the perpetrator to justice. The Embassy will remain in contact with the Irish authorities on this matter.