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UNITED STATES PRESIDENT Donald Trump will receive a mixed welcome when he arrives in Ireland today for a brief visit in between D-Day commemorations in Britain and France.
Trump has spent the last three days in England, where he attended a state banquet with the royal family at Buckingham Palace, a dinner at the US ambassador’s residence and talks with Prime Minister Theresa May. Earlier he joined other world leaders in Portsmouth for the official event to commemorate 75 years since the D-Day landings.
His itinerary for his Irish visit – which is a private visit – will be much less busy and will not involve the pomp and circumstance of the official State visit to England.
The US president will touch down in Shannon Airport in the late afternoon or early evening. It is not clear whether he will be treated to a musical welcome on the runway, like he was in 2014, but it’s believed there won’t be any harpists this time around, nor any Irish wolfhounds.
At the airport he will meet Taoiseach Leo Varadkar for bilateral talks. This is the only formal meeting or event planned with Irish officials for the three days Trump is in Ireland.
However, TheJournal.ie understands there could well be a press conference with Varadkar after his meeting with Trump as took place in the White House earlier this year.
Negative forces
During his time in London, President Trump caused a stir with his comments about mayor Sadiq Khan who he called a “stone cold loser” following criticism by Khan. He doubled down on his remarks when questioned by reporters about it yesterday, describing him as “a negative force”.
“I think he’s been a not very good mayor from what I understand,” Trump said.
“He’s done a poor job, crime is up, a lot of problems and I don’t think he should be criticising a representative of the United States that can do so much good for the United Kingdom.”
During this press conference, he took aim at Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, who he also accused of being a “negative force”.
“He wanted to meet today or tomorrow and I decided that I would not do that,” Trump said.
“I really don’t like critics,” he added.
Commemorations in France
There is a photo opportunity planned for media with the president and Taoiseach at the airport, but it is not clear whether he will take questions.
After his meeting with Varadkar he will fly by helicopter to Trump International Golf Links and Hotel in Doonbeg, Co Clare, where he will be staying for two days. The resort will be closed for the duration of his visit.
Tomorrow he will fly from Shannon to France, where he will meet President Emmanuel Macron and visit Colleville-sur-Mer in Normandy to commemorate the anniversary of the Normandy landings. He is expected to stop at the graves of former American president Theodore Roosevelt’s two sons who are buried at Normandy American cemetery.
After this he will return to overnight in Doonbeg. Aside from his meeting with the Taoiseach and his short trip to Normandy, Trump is not expected to leave the resort, where he will take in a round of golf before returning to the US on Friday.
Security
There will be a strong security presence around Doonbeg and Shannon Airport over the next three days. Gardaí have said traffic restrictions for the visit will be kept to a minimum during the US president’s visit and this should not impact greatly on normal traffic in Shannon and Doonbeg.
They have said both Shannon town and Doonbeg village remain open for business during that time, which indicates Trump is not likely to venture out for a local pint or a bit of shopping.
Passengers travelling through the airport are advised to allow extra travel time as there will be additional security on the approach road to the airport and car parks until Friday. All visitors are advised to have photo ID and intending passengers should have proof of travel.
Gardaí locally have also engaged with local secondary schools in these areas to give them advance notification as the Leaving Certificate starts this week.
Parents and students, particularly in Doonbeg and Shannon, are advised to give additional travel time to ensure that they can attend exam centres without difficulty.
Local businesses have welcomed the visit, pointing out that Trump’s Doonbeg estate is the largest employer in the area and that his visit may boost local tourism.
Caroline O’Brien, owner of The Igoe Inn, told RTÉ:
The world press follows him around so every time he mentions he’s coming to Ireland he mentions Doonbeg so that’s all good publicity for us and it’s helping to keep all our businesses going and viable in Doonbeg.
Protests
However there will not be a warm welcome from everyone when Trump touches down in Shannon Airport. A ‘peace camp’ has been set up close to the airport and anti-war and climate change protesters will be based there for the duration of his visit.
John Lannon of Shannonwatch told TheJournal.ie that the main protest will take place this evening, to coincide with the president’s meeting with the Taoiseach at Shannon Airport.
Gardaí have said they are engaging with the protest groups and will facilitate the demonstrations, while making every effort to minimise disruption to the community and those travelling through the airport.
The Peace and Neutrality Alliance and Venezuela Ireland Network will hold a vigil outside the US Embassy in Ballsbridge, Dublin at 6pm this evening. There will also be a protest in Dublin’s city centre, starting at the Garden of Remembrance and moving to the GPO, on Thursday evening.
Those in attendance will include Minister for State Finian McGrath, who said yesterday that it is important to have “peaceful, democratic protests and that people with different views express those views”.
“I have major problems with him – in relation to his policies, both nationally and internationally.”
With reporting from Christina Finn
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Baffling how the Irish-Left sympathizes with Islamic Conservatives who support lighting gays on fire, stoning women to death, blowing up Jews in the name of “Allah”, imposing Sharia Law, etc. They Irish-Left are vicious when it comes to our so-called “conservatives” who would instantly be interpreted as liberals by the Muslim countries and even viewed as liberal by Eastern Europeans and many US Republicans. The German Army should have done what the Egyptian Army did when Hitler and his crew were democratically elected. There has to be a line drawn. I don’t sympathize at all with MB protestors. The irony crying about democracy while using the democratic process which got you in power to end democracy.
100% right Kevin. Well said. The only fools here are the ones banging their chests for the Islamists and “Palestine”.
How about you address his points instead of playing the man. Interestingly its you who looks like a fool. Fool.
Constructive contribution Adam…
What your witnessing is a counter revolution. I know the Irish left aren’t supporting Islamist or militarist coup governments. What’s really going on is the ruling class have decided they like things the way they where under Mubarak and with US backing and AiD they have stolen a revolution, by criminalising an elected government and killing its activists.
Tom Ha! Your hilarious, Yes the 30 million who took part in protests to oust the corrupt Islamist government were all “elitists”.
And YES the left is defending Islamists, Look at Boyd Barrett, Raymond Deane of IPSC, Socialist Workers Party and SIPTU’s Mags O’Brien ALL at the pro Morsi rally in Dublin
https://www.facebook.com/tigeress.eye/media_set?set=a.565646546836409.1073741832.100001732057139&type=1
Democracy and Islam are not compatible. A working democracy is judged upon how it treats it minorities and the Morsi regime’s record speaks for itself. Religion poisons everything; politics; sport; human rights. It divides people and justifies bigotry and hatred.
It is nothing short of revolting what religion demands from humanity people should wake up and stop defending this obscenity. Freedom of religion should be a basic human right but also freedom from religion should be respected, The Muslim Brotherhood clearly rejects this; ask the non-Muslims who tried to live under the Muslim brotherhood tyranny.
The politically correctness of this article is nothing short of vomit inducing.
That’s what I was thinking. Nauseating, oily,weasily article, defending the indefensible in the name PC .
This is the root of the problem.
You cannot vote to end democracy and take away someone else’s rights. Sharia based law in incompatible with basic human rights.
It’s a damned if you do (Muslim Brotherhood) and damned if you don’t (Military) scenario.
Religion is the root of this. It is intolerant; savage it promotes ignorance, division and bigotry.
Religious Apologists are hypocrites they demand respect for their bigotry and superstition yet they get offended by criticism.
Still a bit sore about that Joe I see
“All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions, set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and monopolize power and profit.”
– Thomas Paine, (1737-1809), The Age of Reason, pt. 1,
If the Muslim Brotherhood actually respected democracy then the military would have never ousted them. What has happened in Egypt proves that religion and politics do not go well and should always be kept apart.
Guns and tanks don’t go well with democracy too.
I had hoped the the democratic will that brought the Muslim Brotherhood to power might moderate their position. I was heartened when I heard that Morsi ordered the Gaza smuggling tunnels filled with concrete, that they in no way were allied to Hamas. But the brutal overthrow of the Muslim Brotherhood by the military only means they will never trust democracy again but may seek more violent means to attain power. It seems Egypt is back to where it was with Mubarak.
These “anti Imperialists”, LOL. Align themselves with the greatest imperialist movement ever known to man, The Islamic Caliphate. Which the Muslim Brotherhood openly wants to restore.
Be it Erdogan islamising Turkey or Hamas who were “elected” in typical Muslim Brotherhood style aka one election and then claim for 8 years without an election your still “democratic”.
The Muslim Brotherhood is an enormous well financed organisation and with it’s EURO HQ here in Ireland we can be sure it has it’s grip on our government and journalists. Isn’t it obvious, our journalists refuse to openly write about the connection between the Halawa family and the MB and the Euro HQ of the MB in Clonskeagh Mosque.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caliphate#Re-establishment_of_the_Caliphate
This Islamophobic bile very much mirrors the kind of vicious anti-Semitism European Jews faced in the 1930s. For shame..
Firstly, Since when did democracy begin and end with elections ?
Democracy is about freedom of press,freedom of religion,protection of woman and minorities. The Muslim Brotherhood were changing the constitution and the Egyptian people didn’t want that.That is anti democratic.
You really showed how you were here to promote your propaganda with the use of the word “junta”.
What is hilarious is Why is the Irish Anti War Movement part of the pro Morsi rallies ? Why is Raymond Deane of the IPSC and other members of the IPSC (Ireland Palestinian Solidarity Campaign) ,Mags O’Brien of SIPTU and Richard Boyd Barrett TD all taking part in pro Morsi,pro Muslim Brotherhood rallies outside the Egyptian Embassy ?? What a weird alliance ? Or is it really ? The European HQ of the Muslim Brotherhood is in Clonskeagh ,Do they make “donations” to RICH Boy Barrett and the IPSC and the IAWM ?
Here are the pics of them all at the pro Muslim Brotherhood rally.
Link is broken
Very good article. If you truly believe in the democratic process do you have to support a democratically elected government who’s beliefs and actions are in many ways totalitarian and you deeply disagree with? It also compromises the wests support of Israel, because for years Israel has been described as the only genuine democracy in the Middle East. For a few months there was a second which has now been overthrown by a military supplied with guns by the west.
Interesting article, but events in Egypt present a real dilemma.
Democracy doesn’t always get it right – I don’t normally subscribe to Godwin’s law but this might be a good time to remember that even Hitler was democratically elected.
True democracy is about respecting the views of the entire electorate and forming policies that accommodate everyone to as great an extent as possible, not just winning at the ballot box and taking it as carte blanche to do as you please regardless of the views of those who voted for AND against you – this would just make you an elected dictator.
If 51 foxes voted to eat 49 chickens this would be a democratic vote, but does it represent democracy as most people understand it?
In addition, it is arguable that religion and politics should never mix.
The next few months will be very interesting and revealing in Egypt…
Really ? You actually going to try and suggest the Muslim Brotherhood and the Israeli government are similar,
You have a huge poor population, highly religious and highly under educated with very little awareness with anything but what is said in the mosque or on tv. In such an environment bring a politicised, violent islamic group which is flashing its wealth to gain political gain and using religion to paint any political resistance from other parties as unbelievers (‘kafereen’, ‘haram’). Do you really think there is any democratic process has happened there? The egyptian revolution was not a religious revolution, but those who won the ballot were! What is the future of the 15% christian population in Egypt under such rule?? Who is going to protect them if the security forces will be controlled by those who don’t want them is this country?
Firstly, Since when did democracy begin and end with elections ?
Democracy is about freedom of press,freedom of religion,protection of woman and minorities. The Muslim Brotherhood were changing the constitution and the Egyptian people didn’t want that.That is anti democratic.
You really showed how you were here to promote your propaganda with the use of the word “junta”.
What is hilarious is Why is the Irish Anti War Movement part of the pro Morsi rallies ? Why is Raymond Deane of the IPSC and other members of the IPSC (Ireland Palestinian Solidarity Campaign) ,Mags O’Brien of SIPTU and Richard Boyd Barrett TD all taking part in pro Morsi,pro Muslim Brotherhood rallies outside the Egyptian Embassy ?? What a weird alliance ? Or is it really ? The European HQ of the Muslim Brotherhood is in Clonskeagh ,Do they make “donations” to RICH Boy Barrett and the IPSC and the IAWM ?
A well presented article. Sadly it highlights the central problem in that region of the world which is that democracy as we accept it in Western society simply does not work there. There are too many ideologies and religious extremes in existence incapable of accepting a straight majority rule.
Couple that with the vested interests of Western powers in oil and military supplies and you have the instability which haunts the Middle East.
Can I offer a humble opinion as to a solution? Absolutely not. There is no one easy solution to the problems of governance in those countries, however, one small step,would be for the bigger Western Powers to stop interfering in their affairs.
Interesting article and it’s good that it scrutinises the numbers the coup’s supporters claimed came out in support of it, as these figures were always going to be exagerrated.
I think one of the key factors about whether you believe the coup was justified or not comes down to which definition of democracy you accept. If you believe that democracy is only about the ballot box, then obviously the coup was illegitimate. However, if you believe that democracy doesn’t end at election day, and should enshrine wider rights and respect for minorities, than you would probably believe that overall the overthrow of Morsi was a good thing.
This comes back to the Pew polls, that Colm Ó Bróin mentioned in his piece. Interestingly, a recent Pew Research Centre found that the Egyptian Muslim public are considerably less tolerant of religious pluralism than Muslims elsewhere.
The analysis found that:
“Egypt is one of the few countries where a clear majority (74%) of sharia supporters say both Muslims and non-Muslims in their country should be subject to Islamic law.”
The study also found that:
“Egyptian Muslims also back criminalizing apostasy, or leaving Islam for another religion. An overwhelming majority of Egyptian Muslims (88%), say converting away from Islam should be punishable by death. Among the 37 countries where the question was asked, a median of 28% of Muslims say apostates should be subject to the death penalty.”
So could it be argued that the government of Morsi, by giving Sharia Law more of a central role in the governance of Egypt, was actually reflecting what the Egyptian people wanted? Herein lies the paradox: it would seem that democracy, purely defined as an expression of the people’s will, can’t coincide with the rights-based interpretation of democracy, when the people’s will is to trample all over the rights of others.
Egypts peasant population are very much like the Irish were a century ago. Poor uneducated and deeply devout. They believe that their Imams can do no wrong and what ever they say must be right because these are very “educated” men. (very much the same way we used to see the parish priest). During the Election those self same Imams told the peasants who to vote for because it easy the peasants “right” thing to do. Now the fact that the MB were pouring money into building new mosques up and down the country I am sure had an impact on a devout population.
This is a good article, however we will never know what would have happened at the next election if the MB did not win, would they cede power? I doubt it very much. Michael Jansen has had some good stuff in the Irish times on their world view.
There probably would not have been a “next election” Michael.
Sorry – Denis.
Absolutely right. One man, one vote, one time. That’s the Islamist agenda.
Yer man on that poster looks like Gerry Adams!
Democracy demonstration of craziness
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