An Irish debate on the country’s military neutrality was disrupted on Thursday by anti-NATO protesters. Six people stood up with banners and shouted during a speech by Deputy Prime Minister Micheál Martin.
Ireland is currently engaged in a heated discussion about whether or not to join NATO.
After ten minutes, the protesters were removed. They chanted “no to NATO” and their banners displayed messages such as “NATO wars, millions dead.” Martin initially tried to continue his speech but eventually told the protesters that it was “undemocratic” to prevent him from speaking.
Ireland is not a member of NATO, but the country’s neutral stance is being questioned during a four-day debate on Irish security policy. The debate kicked off on Thursday at the University of Cork.
The government aims to consult citizens and experts regarding the country’s neutral status. This decision follows Finland and Sweden, also European neutral states, expressing their desire to join NATO in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.