Probe underway after suspicious package delivered to Trump's Doonbeg golf course

Staff became suspicious after an envelope believed to contain a powdery substance was delivered. Picture: Niall Carson/PA Wire

An investigation is underway after a suspicious package was delivered to US president Donald Trump's golf course in Doonbeg, Co Clare.

According to reports, staff at the hotel and golfing resort became suspicious after an envelope believed to contain a powdery substance was delivered, and they alerted gardaí.

Officers then alerted the Defence Forces, and it is understood that military personnel are due to examine the contents of the package.

The security scare comes just hours after one of Mr Trump's sons is understood to have stayed at the resort.

Eric Trump is understood to have stayed at the hotel on Tuesday night before leaving for the World Economic Forum at Davos in Switzerland early on Wednesday morning.

A garda sniffer dog is understood to have searched the hotel and not found anything else suspicious. It is understood that members of the Defence Forces' Explosive Ordnance Disposal are due to join gardaí at the resort to examine the package.

A Garda spokesperson said: "We are currently dealing with an ongoing incident at a premises in West Clare. There will be no further comment at this time."

A Defence Forces spokesperson said it does not comment on ongoing operations "due to operational security reasons". The hotel was also asked for a comment.

The incident is the latest in a number where gardaí have been called to attend.

Last year, two greens at the Co Clare golf course were dug up by what appeared to be pro-Palestinian protesters.

The action was branded as “childish” by the hotel group.