Berlin police confirm arrest over use of Irish language at embassy protest

Berlin police confirmed that they arrested an individual for speaking Irish during a protest outside the Irish embassy in Berlin.

The protest, held a couple of months ago, was in support of the Palestinian people and was organised by Irish Bloc Berlin — a group describing itself as a “Berlin-based platform for Irish solidarity with Palestine.” The incident has resurfaced in public attention after video footage of the arrest went viral again in recent days.

Police said that, during cooperation talks with the organisers, it was agreed that speeches or audio recordings at the protest must be delivered in either German or English, due to the absence of available Irish-language interpreters.

Authorities stated that this measure was necessary to “prevent criminal offences” and to ensure that speeches or audio could be understood by emergency services at all times.

As the protest continued, one individual began speaking Irish. Police said they consulted with the organisers and asked that they “influence” the person to stop. After repeated requests, the individual was arrested for allegedly violating Berlin’s Freedom of Assembly Act. They were later released after their identity was verified.

Organisers of the protest claimed they had previously been told by police that an interpreter would be sought to allow Irish to be spoken during the event. However, police did not comment on this claim.

One member of Irish Bloc Berlin stated that the person arrested had not been giving a speech but was simply chanting the slogan “Saoirse don Phalaistín” (“Free Palestine”).

The protest, reportedly attended by 30 to 40 people, had been officially registered with police three days in advance, following standard procedures in Germany. Organisers also disputed several statements made by police regarding the event’s arrangements.

The demonstration called for the Irish government to pass the Occupied Territories Bill and demanded an end to the use of Shannon Airport and Irish airspace for transporting weapons to Israel. It also protested the embassy's alleged lack of support for two Irish citizens facing deportation from Germany over their involvement in pro-Palestinian activism.

This was not the first time language restrictions were raised by Berlin authorities. Last year, Irish-language activists from the same group reported being told by police to stop speaking and singing in Irish during a similar pro-Palestinian event. They claimed police informed them that only German and English were permitted at protests.

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