Irish-American Brian Burns, 80, set to be US ambassador

Donald Trump appears to have tapped a long-time friend, a grandson of Irish immigrants, to be the next US ambassador to Ireland.

Massachusetts-born businessman Brian Burns was told of the nomination at the US president-elect’s Florida estate in November.

While the 80-year-old has not been officially named as the nominee, Mr Trump told a New York Times reporter that Mr Burns, subject to confirmation, will be resident in Phoenix Park.