Bush's meet-and-greet with troops 'a gross insult'

THE White House views Ireland as a de facto 51st state of the US, it was claimed last night, after it emerged that President George W Bush rallied US soldiers during a stopover at Shannon Airport yesterday.

Mr Bush's meet-and-greet with his troops was "a gross insult" to Ireland's sovereignty and policy of neutrality, peace activist Ed Horgan said.

"Donald Rumsfeld (US Defence Secretary) did this in the past and it is a gross insult to Irish sovereignty," said Mr Horgan.