Roof caves in on President’s trip as Dempsey curse hits
Significantly the incident happened on Saturday, just half an hour after Mr Dempsey had given his backing to the set-up in the city and the local authorities’ Trojan work.
After watching a propaganda video on the benefits of doing business in the industrial city in the north-east of China, the obviously impressed minister congratulated the local government for showing leadership and describing its efforts as an example for all countries.
Shortly afterwards the landmark skyscraper Building of the 21st Century, the jewel in the crown of the city, began to crumble.
The problems began as the President observed the signing of contracts between Irish and Chinese companies and institutions in the main conference hall of the building.
Outside in the main lobby, a steel shutter on an upper-level balcony malfunctioned sparking a domino
effect of destruction. Plaster, steel and dust began to rain down.
Chinese officials ran around frantically to try to stop the embarrassing disaster as confused onlookers watched in amazement.
The President was due to pose for photos directly underneath but that wasn’t going to happen now.
Emerging from her business in the hall, Ms McAleese, tightly clutching the hand of husband Martin, was rushed down the stairs with her security detail providing a shield over her shoulders.
Although Ms McAleese didn’t appear to be in immediate danger, amid the confusion over what was happening, her protection team weren’t taking any chances and moved her outside to her car.
Thankfully, neither Ms McAleese nor any of her entourage were injured in the incident.
According to a spokesperson, Ms McAleese was as confused as anyone else about what was going on, but wasn’t in danger.
“She did not know what was happening but she was perfectly safe and we are transferring the function to another venue,” the spokesperson said.
The photo session was moved on to the nearby Shenyang Dimplex plant, co-owned by the Irish firm Glen Dimplex, which Mr Dempsey had officially opened just a few hours previously, amid great fanfare and more explosions - this time from confetti blown into the air.
Curiously, this wasn’t the first time the President came to the Dimplex plant that day as she paid an unscheduled visit to it before going on to the Building of the 21st Century.
Glen Dimplex chairman Martin Naughton and chief executive Sean O’Driscoll are travelling with the President’s entourage as part of the trade delegation. Yesterday, after all the excitement, the President took a day off to enjoy the city of Shanghai.
Coincidentally, or perhaps not, the Fianna Fáil conference in Killarney passed smoothly.
The Soldiers of Destiny should thank their lucky stars their hex was on the far side of the world.
