‘We are proud to welcome a friend of peace ... my good friend Bertie Ahern’

US President George Bush commended the leadership of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern yesterday as he faced a growing crisis in the Northern Ireland peace process.

At the traditional St Patrick's Day shamrock ceremony at the White House, Mr Bush steered clear of Sinn Féin and the Belfast murder of Robert McCartney, instead focusing on the strong ties between the US and Ireland.

For the first time in a decade no Northern Ireland political leaders were invited to the annual celebration a clear signal that patience is running out with the continued paramilitary activity.