PICTURES: Hero Canadian diplomat wrestles with pro dissident protester at Dublin ceremony for British 1916 dead

A diplomat hailed a hero worldwide for shooting a gunman who stormed the Canadian parliament has wrestled with a protester at a military ceremony in Ireland.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th May 2016, 16:23 BST
Updated 26th May 2016, 18:08 BST
Canadian Ambassador to Ireland Kevin Vickers wrestles with a protester (left) during a State ceremony to remember the British soldiers who died during the Easter Rising at Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Dublin. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA WireCanadian Ambassador to Ireland Kevin Vickers wrestles with a protester (left) during a State ceremony to remember the British soldiers who died during the Easter Rising at Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Dublin. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Canadian Ambassador to Ireland Kevin Vickers wrestles with a protester (left) during a State ceremony to remember the British soldiers who died during the Easter Rising at Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Dublin. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Kevin Vickers helped subdue a demonstrator who began chanting “insult” at the service commemorating more than 100 British soldiers killed trying to suppress the Easter Rising a century ago.

Mr Vickers, 59, was attending the State ceremony as Canada’s ambassador to Ireland when a man in his 40s attempted to disrupt it.

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Dressed in a suit and raincoat, he grabbed the protester by his black leather jacket before police moved in, forced the suspect to the ground and arrested him.

Canadian Ambassador to Ireland Kevin Vickers wrestles with a protester (left) during a State ceremony to remember the British soldiers who died during the Easter Rising at Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Dublin. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA WireCanadian Ambassador to Ireland Kevin Vickers wrestles with a protester (left) during a State ceremony to remember the British soldiers who died during the Easter Rising at Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Dublin. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Canadian Ambassador to Ireland Kevin Vickers wrestles with a protester (left) during a State ceremony to remember the British soldiers who died during the Easter Rising at Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Dublin. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

The former House of Commons sergeant-at-arms in Ottawa became a household name after confronting rifle-wielding Michael Zehaf-Bibeau on October 22 2014 during a gun fight in the building.

In what was described as a terror attack, Zehaf-Bibeau had earlier gunned down Corporal Nathan Cirillo, 24, who was assigned to the honour guard at the city’s national war memorial.

Mr Vickers, who has a strong Irish-Canadian background, was later appointed ambassador to Dublin.

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Irish police confirmed a man in his mid 40s was arrested at around midday.

Canadian Ambassador to Ireland Kevin Vickers wrestles with a protester (right) during a State ceremony to remember the British soldiers who died during the Easter Rising at Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Dublin. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA WireCanadian Ambassador to Ireland Kevin Vickers wrestles with a protester (right) during a State ceremony to remember the British soldiers who died during the Easter Rising at Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Dublin. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Canadian Ambassador to Ireland Kevin Vickers wrestles with a protester (right) during a State ceremony to remember the British soldiers who died during the Easter Rising at Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Dublin. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

The suspect was detained at Cabra Garda station on suspected public order offences.

He was heard shouting “this is an insult” at the start of the invite-only event. He also shouted about the Craigavon Two, the dissident republican terrorist murderers of PSNI officer Stephen Carroll.

Despite the protest, the event proceeded with minimal interruption. Ireland’s Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan laid a wreath in memory of up to 125 British soldiers killed during the 1916 rebellion against British rule.

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They came from across Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland and further afield.

A lone protestor is arrested during a State ceremony to remember the British soldiers who died during the Easter Rising at Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Dublin. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA WireA lone protestor is arrested during a State ceremony to remember the British soldiers who died during the Easter Rising at Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Dublin. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
A lone protestor is arrested during a State ceremony to remember the British soldiers who died during the Easter Rising at Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Dublin. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

The ceremony commemorating their deaths is one of a number organised to mark the 100th anniversary of the insurrection, which ultimately led to the creation of the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

British Ambassador to Dublin Dominick Chilcott also laid a wreath on behalf of the British Government.

Related topics:Northern Ireland