A surprise appearance by former US president Joe Biden at Trinity College Dublin sparked an angry street protest and a heavy Garda presence that ended with two arrests as the event concluded.
Mr Biden arrived unexpectedly at the university as his son, Hunter Biden, received the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution for Public Discourse from the world’s oldest student society.
He was joined by former first lady Jill Biden.
Pro-Palestinian protesters assembled outside the ceremony to register their opposition.
As the Bidens departed after the award presentation, some members of the crowd surged forward and objects were thrown, including milk.
Several garda public order unit vans and officers were deployed at the scene, and at least two people were arrested.
Protesters gathered outside the Trinity’s Reading Room
Video from the scene showed a garda using a baton on one of the protesters as they were being detained.
In an interview with RTÉ’s Drivetime, Harper Alderson, editor of Trinity’s University Times newspaper, alleged gardaí used pepper spray on two protesters.
“The protest grew very large as the cars were moving through front square of the college,” she said.
“Students were surrounding them and chanting ‘Genocide Joe’, ‘Shame on you’ and ‘guards off our campus’ among other things.”
Hunter Biden was convicted in the US of gun and tax crimes in June 2024 but was pardoned by his father later that year while he was still president.
The College Historical Society, better known as the Hist, dates back to 1770.
Its Gold Medal has previously gone to figures including former Irish president Michael D Higgins, Bob Geldof, Patti Smith, Julian Assange and Desmond Tutu.
Joe (right) and Jill Biden celebrating their son Hunter at Trinity College Dublin
Ahead of the ceremony, the Hist said: “To a society like the Hist, Biden’s recent advocacy on the state of American politics and media as well as for matters of addiction and recovery make him a commendable figure” to receive the award.
On his arrival, Hunter Biden said he was honoured to be in Dublin with his family.
“To be able to come back to Ireland and be with my whole family, it means the world.
“I’m incredibly honoured by the Hist that they would think of me, thank you.”
Asked about his father’s presence, he said: “He’s great, he’s good, he’s here.”
Hunter and his father at Trinity College Dublin
Mr Biden’s appearance in Dublin comes days after he said he would cut back plans to promote his forthcoming memoir as he continues treatment for aggressive prostate cancer.
In May 2025, four months after leaving the White House, Mr Biden announced he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had spread to his bones.
He has since undergone radiation and hormone therapy, while Hunter Biden said in August that the illness had progressed further and was causing significant pain.
Mr Biden has also voiced confidence about his treatment, saying his doctors “continue to be encouraged” by his response.
The Democrat said he would not be able to make as many public appearances as he had planned in the run-up to the 17 November publication of ‘Promise Me, America’.
“Some days are better than others. It hasn’t stopped me. But sometimes it slows me down,” Mr Biden wrote on X.
“What that means is, unfortunately, I won’t be able to do as many conversations about my book as I’d hoped. However, I’m hopeful the words on the page speak for themselves,” he added.
Earlier this afternoon, the former US president and his family also met Taoiseach Micheál Martin at a Dublin hotel.
Very pleased to welcome former US President @JoeBiden and his family to Dublin. We reflected on his strong Irish roots and previous visits, appreciating his lifelong support for Ireland. https://t.co/aol5ikpih5
— Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) November 10, 2026
The Taoiseach said he and Mr Biden looked back on a wide range of memories.
Mr Biden’s relatives also spoke with the Taoiseach about their Mayo connections and Mayo’s All-Ireland triumph in July.
Mr Martin said: “I pointed out to him that the last time he was in Ireland he said ‘Mayo for Sam’ and I said eventually Mayo for Sam came through, albeit a bit later than maybe the president would have liked.
“And we talked about some of the stories he had told me about his late mother when she stayed in Hillsborough Castle with him.
“I better not say too much or we’ll get ourselves into trouble again, but she didn’t want to sleep in a particular bedroom because of her nationalist and republican background.
“But we had a good old laugh about that.”
Watch: Joe Biden makes surprise visit to Dublin for son’s ceremony
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Mr Martin described Mr Biden as “a good-humoured man” and said their conversation touched on those lighter moments.
He added: “But I also thank him for his personal courtesy to me, as Taoiseach, and in the past.
“But above all, his enduring friendship to Ireland and support for Ireland.”
It is understood Mr Martin and Mr Biden also discussed the Northern Ireland peace process and reconciliation, the European Political Community meeting in Dublin on Thursday, Ireland’s hosting of the EU Presidency and broader international issues.
Additional reporting by Barry Lenihan, Harry Manning and PA
