Two politicians narrowly missed by falling tree at Leinster House

Two politicians had a narrow escape when a large branch of a tree at the entrance to Leinster House came crashing down just before lunchtime

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Joe Costello and Fine Gael whip in the Seanad, Senator Paul Coghlan, were chatting just inside the gates of Leinster House when the branch was blown down.

The two men jumped out of the way of the falling branch and were unhurt.

The tree towers over the elaborate glass-walled entrance to Leinster House which was built at a cost of millions of Euro during the Celtic Tiger years.

The entrance building was not damaged and the staff manning it were unhurt.

Visitors to the Dail were diverted through the main gates.