'Portal' connecting Dublin and New York takes grim turn as 9/11 is 'mocked'

A "portal" art installation connecting New York City and Dublin has sparked outrage once more after an individual was seen "mocking" the US over the tragic events of 9/11.

The innovative public art pieces, which serve as a technological bridge between the two cities, were inaugurated on May 8, hailed as an "unprecedented bridge" linking the two cities.

Dublin's Portal, situated on North Earl Street, offers a live view of its most iconic sights on O'Connell Street, featuring the historic General Post Office and the Spire.

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New York's counterpart stands in the Flatiron South Public Plaza at Broadway, Fifth Avenue, and 23rd Street, adjacent to the iconic Flatiron Building, reports the Daily Star .

Both portals facilitate a continuous live stream for "real-time interaction between Dubliners, New Yorkers, and visitors to these two global destinations".

However, it didn't take long for inappropriate behavior to emerge. On May 11, social media began circulating a video where someone displayed an image of one of America's most somber moments, 9/11.

This unidentified individual broadcasted the image from Dublin to "mock" viewers on the US side, reported by 6ixBuzz Tv on X.

"New Yorkers were mocked for 9-11 by the Irish through the portal," the page claimed, sharing footage where an unidentified individual holds up their mobile to the portal, displaying an image of smoke pouring from the towers on that fateful day in September 2001, just as a second plane is about to strike.

In the video, New Yorkers can be heard yelling and shouting "NO! " as the distressing picture appears on their portal.

The incident began on Wednesday when an intoxicated woman was caught behaving indecently with the installation on the Irish end, leading to her arrest.

A clip posted by Irish_Daily on Instagram shows the woman being led away by Gardai as bystanders in New York wave farewell.

The person who shared the video, Liza Linnane, described the event.

She commented: "Basically she was there for about 20 mins very drunk and was slapping and grinding against the portal before guards stepped in."

A spokesman for An Garda Siochana said charges had been brought against her.

"She has since been charged in relation to this and is expected to appear before the CCJ District Court at a later date," they said.

And she wasn't the only one to misuse the portal meant for positive exchanges. While the majority interact respectfully, greeting each other or engaging in dance battles, some have exploited it for less savory purposes.

"Someone is definitely gonna moon the Yanks via the portal," predicted one user on X, previously known as Twitter, last Thursday, May 9.

Just a few moments after her initial tweet, she followed up with a clip showing a chap in work attire mooning the crowd in New York.

"Well. That was quick," she said. Another said: "Why we can't have nice things."

Another added: "I'm surprised it hasn't been vandalized yet."

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It's understood someone from the US side gave the middle finger to Dubliners , who responded with equal gusto.

The installation is the brainchild of Lithuanian artist Benediktas Gylys and is supported by various organisations, including Dublin City Council. All parties involved have been approached for a statement.

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