An attempted security breach in Dáil Éireann this morning was thwarted when a Dáil usher prevented a man gaining access to the chamber which was being televised live on RTÉ.

The man was one of a number of individuals who joined an organised tour of the Houses of the Oireachtas.

He twice attempted to gain entrance to the chamber. The first time he approached he was blocked by the usher and rejoined the tour.

When the group returned via the main door again the man charged the door of the chamber as Taoiseach Enda Kenny was answering leaders' questions.

He crashed against the door but was blocked by the usher who put him in an armlock.

Another usher in the chamber, alerted by the noise, moved in to assist his colleague and the man was escorted from Leinster House.

The matter has been referred to gardaí.



The man is from Sligo and was signed in by a Minister of State.



He said he wanted to address the Dáil about “secret police operating in Ireland”.