President Donald Trump was met by a series of angry protests as he arrived at his Doonbeg golf course for the final day of the Irish Open on Sunday. Trump, a controversial guest of honor at the tournament being held at his own resort, was pictured shaking hands with tournament leader Shane Lowry ahead of the final round.
While the president was all smiles, it was hard to ignore the furious protests on the outskirts of the course, as locals attempted to make their voices heard. Protestors were kept out of the grounds by barriers and a heavy police presence.
Various signs and anti-Trump posters were held aloft outside the Doonbeg resort. One banner read: "No failte for fascists," while another called the president a "tyrannical racsist [sic] ultra mysogynistic [sic] pig."
Shane Lowry, the home favorite leading the tournament, is an Irish professional golfer who won the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
Irish Unification Comments
Trump was on the second day of his visit to Ireland, and he courted controversy on Saturday with strong comments in support of Irish unification. Responding to a question from the Press Association, he said he "would love to see" Ireland unified, adding: "It's going to happen eventually."
On Sunday he doubled down, saying he "loved" the backlash to his comments. Speaking briefly to reporters as he walked to the first tee at his Doonbeg resort in Co Clare, Trump was asked about the diplomatic controversy sparked by his remarks. "I loved them," he said. Asked again about the backlash, he replied: "I love my comments."
He did not comment further when asked about a timeline for Irish unity or a separate question on Scottish independence. Trump also said it was "great" to be in Doonbeg and added: "I love Irish people."
Security and Political Attendance
Taoiseach Micheal Martin and other senior Irish Government figures were also attending the final day of play at the Irish Open. Micheal Martin is Ireland's head of government, a position known in Irish as Taoiseach.
It is anticipated Trump will hand over the winner's trophy at the Trump International golf resort in Doonbeg before flying back to the United States at the end of his two-day itinerary.
A major security operation continued for the visit, with Ireland's police service, An Garda Siochana, liaising with the Defence Forces and the US Secret Service in the area around the resort. Trump's presence also sparked protests in Dublin and Clare, but Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said there would be "no tolerance" for public disorder or attempts to impact "critical movements" of the US president.
