An Irish protester was arrested by police today after climbing onto the Irish Embassy building in London.
The man, who was protesting against a controversial Shell gas pipeline in north Co Mayo, initially refused to leave but was eventually talked down by police.
Up to 10 members of the Rossport Solidarity Camp group handed out leaflets to passers by during the hour-long incident.
The Irish Foreign Affairs Department in Dublin said a man climbed on to the external balcony of the ambassador's office in Grosvenor Place at about noon.
"He unfurled a banner with the words 'Shell To Sea' written on it. He refused requests to leave by Embassy staff and the police were called who then talked him down.
"He exited through the Embassy building shortly after 1pm. "He was arrested by police on suspicion of causing criminal damage and is still being questioned," a spokesman said.
Protesters have waged a two-year campaign against a high-pressure gas pipeline being built by Shell in Rossport near Belanaboy.
Five local residents known as 'the Rossport Five' were jailed for 96 days by the Irish High Court in 2005 for blocking work on the project.
In March 2005, British anti-war activists picketed the Irish Embassy to protest at the refuelling of US military aircraft at Shannon Airport.