No red carpet treatment for Donald Trump’s Irish visit
It is understood no interaction has been sought or offered after news of the impending visit emerged days after Taoiseach Enda Kenny described some of Mr Trump’s remarks as “racist and dangerous”.
The New York tycoon and presumptive Republican party US presidential nominee Mr Trump confirmed to his 8.6m Twitter followers he is set to come to Ireland later this month. He is expected to see developments at his golf resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare, which is continuing to face planning permission stumbling blocks over a sea wall against the Atlantic coast.
However, it has been noted his visit coincides with outgoing Democrat US vice-president Joe Biden’s long-awaited visit to Ireland to trace his family history .
When Mr Trump last visited Ireland in 2014 he was famously greeted by Finance Minister Michael Noonan at Shannon Airport, with officials for the facility also welcoming him with a red carpet on the runway and Irish singers.
However, just days after Mr Kenny told the Dáil some of Mr Trump’s comments were “racist and dangerous”, the Government said it is unlikely to meet Mr Trump while he is in this country, as he was visiting in a “private capacity”.
In media interviews yesterday, AAA-PBP TDs Paul Murphy, Richard Boyd Barrett, Ruth Coppinger, and Mick Barry said the Mr Trump’s comments about Mexicans, Muslims, and other minority groups mean he should be shunned, and called for protests.
However, despite the criticism, a number of businesses in Doonbeg said they hoped the visit would have a similar effect as US president Barack Obama’s visit to Moneygall.
“I think Mr Trump is going to get a great welcome. He is putting great money into the area,” said Iago Inn owner Caroline Kennedy, while Clare’s best known Muslim, Moosajee Bhamjee, said Ireland should welcome him as, while “his views might be racist, he is entitled to visit his property”.
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