At least two arrests have been made following a surprise visit from former US President Joe Biden to Trinity College in Dublin on Tuesday.

Biden was accompanied by former first lady Jill Biden as they attended a ceremony where their son Hunter was awarded the Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution for Public Discourse.

During the trio’s visit to the College Historical Society groups of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered, some of whom were detained by gardaí (Irish police).

As Biden and his family left the venue, some of the people moved forward and objects were thrown, Irish broadcaster RTÉ has reported.

A number of garda officers and public order unit vans were on site as at least two arrests were made.

In 2024 Hunter Biden was convicted of gun and tax crimes in in the US but was later pardoned by his father while he was still president.

It made him the first child of a sitting president to be a convicted of a crime.

Previous recipients of the award include former Irish president Michael D Higgins, Bob Geldof, Patti Smith, Julian Assange and Desmond Tutu.

The former US president and his family also met with the Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin.

Martin said on X that he had been pleased to welcome the family and that they reflected on Biden’s “strong Irish roots”.