'The man is a clown': Thousands protest against Donald Trump’s visit to Ireland
People take part in an anti-Trump protest march through Dublin city centre, during US President Donald Trump's trip to Ireland. Picture: Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA Wire
Thousands of people have taken part in protests at the visit to Ireland of US president Donald Trump.
The largest demonstration was in Dublin where a huge crowd carrying placards and banners marched from the Garden of Remembrance along O’Connell Street in opposition to his two-day visit.
Smaller protests were held at Shannon Airport and in the Co Clare village of Doonbeg, close to Mr Trump’s golf course where he is attending the Irish Open.
The Dublin protest concluded shortly after 4pm.
Organisers on the ground claimed the number in attendance ran into the tens of thousands and it took more than half an hour for the entirety of the march to leave the starting point at 1pm.
Several opposition political parties, including Sinn Féin and the Greens, participated in the protest.
Earlier, the US president had undertaken a series of engagements in Dublin, but had already left the city by the time the protest got under way.
Gardaí mounted a massive security operation with officers lining the route and public order units positioned nearby.
The protest led to disruption to traffic and public transport in the city centre.
Read More
Geoff Prior took part in the Dublin protest carrying a placard showing Mr Trump dressed as a clown.
He said: “I came here today to protest at Trump’s golf trip to Ireland. The man is a clown.
“I am from Kerry, I spent five hours travelling to get here, that is how strongly I feel about it. Thank goodness it is a great turnout, but we could always do with more.”
Anne Conway, from Dublin, said Mr Trump is “creating havoc and war all around the world”.
She said: “He is destroying the planet. He has a terrible legacy of slaughtering people in the Middle East for absolutely no reason. It is all against international law”.
Ms Conway said the Government should not be “rolling out the red carpet” for the president.
She added: “They should show they are supportive of international law.
“By allowing this visit to happen they are saying none of that matters.
“Our hope is that the US get out of the Middle East and stop causing trouble.”
People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett was at the front of the protest leading chants of ‘The people’s voice is loud and clear, Donald Trump’s not welcome here’ and ‘One, two, three, four, we don’t want your bloody war’.”
The protest culminated with music and speeches at Molesworth Street.
Feminist campaigner Ailbhe Smyth told the crowd that Mr Trump was a “hate-filled, hate-fuelled man”.
She added: “He is a reckless plunderer of planet earth for his own greed and profit. Drill, baby drill.”
Mr Boyd Barrett told the crowd that Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris had “brought shame” on Ireland by inviting Mr Trump.
He added: “Disgustingly, the Irish Government welcomed this monster to our country. Shame on them!
“Donald Trump represents everything that is dangerous and rotten in the world today.”
Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire said: “This winter across Ireland and across the entire world, the poor, the sick and the elderly and vulnerable will struggle to heat their homes because of this man, President Trump and this US administration.
“Because of their illegal and appallingly reckless wars in Iran and elsewhere.”
Sara O’Rourke of the Irish Neutrality League said the majority of Irish people did not want the US president to visit.
“Over 30 groups have supported these protests, the main message was no welcome for Trump,” she said.
“Behind that there were a number of key issues we all agreed on — the first message is we stand with the people of Palestine, we stand with the people of Gaza, we say no to genocide and we say no welcome for the genocide enabler Donald Trump.
“We are also here to say no to racism, it’s simple, no to racism. Solidarity to the migrant community in Ireland who have to deal with racism, you are welcome here, you are welcome in Ireland.
“The other message of solidarity goes out to all the survivors of violence, sexism, misogyny who I’m sure are very triggered by the fact that the Irish Government is welcoming the biggest representative and symbol of all the sexism and all the misogyny, we stand with you.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
