The Irish Embassy compound in Beijing was evacuated yesterday after it came under a barrage of missiles from anti-NATO protesters meant for the United States embassy next door, Conor O'Clery reports. Most fell short but one stone smashed through the second-floor window of the residence of visa officer Ms Martina Monaghan at 10.30 a.m.
"I was sitting on the couch reading a book when there was a crash behind me," she said. A wire anti-mosquito mesh stopped the projectile from striking her head.
The Irish Ambassador, Mr Joe Hayes, was instructed by the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin to transfer his family and staff to a local hotel for the night as the second day of anti-NATO demonstrations engulfed the diplomatic district in Beijing.
"If the thing got out of hand it wouldn't be hostility directed against us," said Mr Hayes, who remained at the Embassy with First Secretary Mr Kyle O'Sullivan to ensure security, "but we would be on the front line of any major assault on the American embassy". The Irish Embassy is located at the back of the American embassy, which came under a constant barrage of missiles all weekend.