Donald Trump continues Irish visit in Doonbeg after stirring up diplomatic row

It is anticipated that he will hand over the winner’s trophy at the Trump International golf resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare – before flying back to the US at the end of a two-day itinerary.

A major security operation is under way for the visit, with An Garda Síochána liaising with the Defence Forces and US Secret Service in the area around the resort.

Mr Trump’s presence sparked protests in Dublin and Clare, but Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said there would be “no tolerance” for public disorder or attempts to impact “critical movements” of the US president.

He arrived in Ireland on his new Qatar-gifted Air Force One on Saturday morning, where he met Tánaiste Simon Harris at Dublin Airport.

The US commander-in-chief then met President Catherine Connolly, one of his long-standing critics, at her official residence Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin’s Phoenix Park.

However, it was his next meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin that caused the biggest stir – as Mr Trump weighed in on the constitutional question by claiming Irish unification was inevitable.

Answering a question from the Press Association, the 47th president said he “would love to see” Ireland unified, adding: “It’s going to happen eventually.”

The row could complicate Washington’s relations with Northern Irish parties.

While Sinn Féin has boycotted the annual St Patrick’s Day visit to Washington over Mr Trump’s Middle East policy, leading unionist parties the DUP and UUP have continued to engage with the president.

In response to his comments, DUP leader Gavin Robinson said Northern Ireland’s future would be decided by its people, not “commentary in London, Dublin or Washington”.

He added: “As unionists, we are not interested in the destruction of our country by joining with the Irish Republic.” 

Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister said Mr Trump was “not the first US president to meddle in the affairs which don’t concern him”, adding: “Northern Ireland is not a pawn in Trump’s fallout with the UK.” 

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the president’s comments were “timely” and Mr Martin “must now begin planning for a united Ireland”.

The remarks are also likely to further strain relations between the US and the UK, with Mr Trump also casting doubt on Britain’s ability to defend the Falkland Islands during the visit.

On Wednesday, British prime minister Andy Burnham told MPs a border poll would be considered only when there was “a clear consensus in the country”.

Conservative deputy leader Alex Burghart said Mr Trump was “very wrong”, adding Northern Ireland was “an integral part” of the UK.

The UK-Ireland border remains a sensitive issue, with Mr Burnham triggering a political row earlier in the year after saying a referendum on reunification was “off the table”.

Under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement, Britain's Northern Ireland secretary can decide to hold a border poll, and has a duty to call one if it appears likely a majority would vote for Irish unification.

People in Ireland must also vote in favour to effect constitutional change.

Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris said the comments show “how much the conversation about a unified island is advancing at home and abroad” as he urged political parties to engage in a “constructive, informed and evidence-based way”.

Mr Trump said America’s relationship with Ireland had “never been as good as it is right now” while Micheál Martin praised the “sporting relationship” between the two countries.