Protesters Disrupt Brian O’Driscoll’s Cyber Summit in Dublin

UPDATE: Protests erupted today outside the Westbury Hotel in Dublin as former Irish rugby captain Brian O’Driscoll delivered a keynote address at the Cyber Leader Summit Dublin 2025. The event, linked to a former Israeli intelligence officer and organized by cybersecurity firm Check Point, faced significant backlash from demonstrators advocating for Palestinian rights.

The summit commenced at approximately 3:30 PM, but tensions escalated as protesters gathered to voice their opposition to O’Driscoll’s participation, citing the event’s ties to Israeli military operations. O’Driscoll aimed to highlight parallels between elite rugby and cyber defense, emphasizing teamwork and resilience in both fields. However, his association with Check Point, a company criticized for its connections to Israeli defense activities, drew ire from the Ireland-Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

In a statement, the campaign condemned O’Driscoll’s involvement, declaring, “It is terrible to see Brian O’Driscoll speak at an event hosted by Israeli cyber security company, Check Point, closely linked with the Israeli military and security services. He cannot say he didn’t know. This is completely out of step with the majority of us who stand with Palestine.”

Gardaí confirmed they were called to manage a public order incident, but reported that “those involved dispersed peacefully” and no arrests were made. A spokesperson for Check Point confirmed that the event proceeded as planned but declined to comment further on the protests.

As details continue to emerge, O’Driscoll’s booking agent has been approached for comment. This incident underscores the growing tensions surrounding international events linked to controversial political issues.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story, as the ramifications of this protest could impact future events featuring high-profile speakers tied to contentious topics.