Ambassador Kevin Vickers's tussle with protester in Dublin garners mixed reaction

It's the otherCanadian "manhandling" that's getting international attention.

On Thursday, Kevin Vickers, Canada's ambassador to Ireland, wrestled with a protester at an invitation-onlyceremony in Dublin.Vickersbecame a household name after his confrontation in 2014with a gunman in a hallway on Parliament Hill

• Ambassador Kevin Vickers, former House sergeant-at-arms, tackles protester in Dublin

The news didn't take long to cross the pond.

It was immediately applauded by someConservatives, who praised Vickers's toughness. It was, afterall,their party thatappointed Vickers to his posting inIrelandlast year.

It was a sentiment shared by other Canadians.

It wasn't just Canadians intrigued by the New Brunswick-born ambassador's fists. The U.K.'s DailyMail called Vickers "the world's toughest diplomat."

Others, however, were critical of Vickertackling a lone protester. The former House of Commons sergeant-at-arms was at an event commemorating the 100 British soldiers who died during the Easter Rising in 1916, when Irish republicans tried to overthrow control of the country.

The Irish Republican Prisoners Welfare Association posted a video on itsFacebook page applauding the protester,and levelled criticism against the Canadian ambassador.

"Well done to Dublin IRPWA member Brian Murphy who earlier today protested at a British Army Memorial Event in Dublin," reads the post.

"Despite being assaulted by the Canadian ambassador Brian raised the issue of Justice For The Craigavon 2 Campaign."

Kevin Vickers grabs protester in Dublin

8 years ago

Duration 2:17

Former House of Commons sergeant-at-arms was at event commemorating the 100 British soldiers who died during the Easter Rising