Brian O’Driscoll’s speech in Dublin took an unexpected turn when pro-Palestine activists disrupted the event with shouts of “shame on you.” The former rugby star was speaking at the Cyber Leader Summit, organised by Check Point, a cybersecurity firm with ties to Tel Aviv and California. Some executives from the company had previously served in the Israeli military, making the event a target for protest.
The conference, held at the Westbury Hotel, aimed to draw connections between rugby and cyber defence, focusing on teamwork and strategy. However, the event was interrupted by Your Tech Their Deaths, a group urging tech companies to stop collaborating with the Israeli military. Protesters called out O’Driscoll, questioning his presence there, before being removed by security.
Despite the disruption, the summit continued as planned. Jude Farrell, the group’s founder, expressed concern over a company with IDF links hosting an event in Ireland, citing the importance of the country’s stance on neutrality. Gardaí responded to the incident but reported that the protesters dispersed peacefully with no arrests made.
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