‘Shame on you!’ – Brian O’Driscoll’s speech interrupted by protesters at tech event linked to Israeli military
Check Point Software Technologies, which hosted the event in Dublin, is run by individuals who served in the Israeli Defence Forces
Former Ireland rugby captain Brian O'Driscoll. Photo: PAA keynote speech by Ireland rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll at a cyber defence summit was interrupted yesterday by pro-Palestine protesters due to the event’s links to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).Mr O’Driscoll was speaking at the Cyber Leader Summit 2025 in The Westbury Hotel in Dublin.The event was organised by Check Point Software Technologies, a company headquartered in Tel Aviv and California, which specialises in AI-powered threat prevention in the cybersphere.Some members of its executive team served as officers in the IDF, and it reportedly partners with Israeli arms manufacturers.Its CEO, Nadav Zafrir, established the IDF’s Cyber Command and served as commander of the elite Unit 8200, while the company’s strategy officer served 25 years in the IDF in various cyber positions, according to the Check Point website.Today's News in 90 Seconds - Friday, October 17Check Point has large and influential partners such as Google, Microsoft and Amazon.The company stated that Mr O’Driscoll’s speech was intended to “draw powerful parallels between the world of elite rugby and cyber defence – showing how teamwork, resilience, and strategy are just as critical on the digital frontlines as they are on the pitch”.A video has emerged which shows a protester disrupting Mr O’Driscoll’s speech on stage.In the footage filmed on a phone from the point of view of the protester, the man can be heard shouting at Mr O’Driscoll, who is on stage.Attendees turn around to look at the man as he berates Mr O’Driscoll over his association with the event."Check Point is an Israeli cyber attack company that [is] founded by Israeli soldiers who are committing a genocide in Gaza right now,” the protester shouts."Shame on you. What are you doing here?” the protester adds.The protester is escorted out of the venue towards the door while he exclaims: “What war? It’s not a war” as he responds to a comment from a member of the audience.In relation to the incident, a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said the force responded to a “public order incident” at the hotel premises at around 3.30pm yesterday.“Those involved dispersed peacefully,” they said, adding that no arrests were made.Mr O’Driscoll’s representatives were contacted for comment.
