Gardaí are currently on site at the Bord Bia headquarters in Dublin after an "escalation" of action by the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) as it continues to protest over the organisation's chair, Larry Murrin.

An Garda Síochána confirmed that it was "alerted after a number of individuals entered a premises on Pembroke Road, Dublin 4".

"Gardaí are currently at the scene and inquiries are ongoing," they added.

The IFA has been protesting outside of the headquarters of Bord Bia on Pembroke Road for the last nine days about its chair, Larry Murrin, who is also the CEO of Dawn Farm Foods.

The Irish company confirmed that the business sources some beef from Brazil. According to Dawn Farms, Brazilian beef accounted for 1% of its beef supply in 2025.

IFA believes that "the position of the Bord Bia chair, Larry Murrin, is untenable" and he should stand down.

According to the president of the IFA, Francie Gorman the decision by members of the farming organisation to enter the HQ building "reflects the deep frustration and anger over the inaction by Bord Bia on this matter".

It is understood that 40-50 IFA members occupied the reception area of the organisation.

Gorman said today (Tuesday, February 3) that "this issue can only be resolved with the removal of Larry Murrin".

Bord Bia

However Bord Bia told Agriland that while it respects anyone’s right to protest "it is unacceptable and unprofessional to disrupt the work" of its staff.  

A spokesperson for the organisation said: "The situation was very intimidating for colleagues at reception, when a large group of farmers entered the building under false pretences and then refused to leave.

"Bord Bia has formally asked the protestors to leave the building. They have refused to do so."

The spokesperson also confirmed that gardaí are on site and "are providing support to Bord Bia to help resolve the situation safely and appropriately".

Additional reporting by Conor Galligan