PERSUMPTIVE US Republican presidential nominee Donal Trump will be met with protests when he arrives in Ireland later this month for a visit
The billionaire businessman is expected in Ireland on either 24 or 25 June as part of a whistle-stop tour of his golf resorts, including Turnberry and Aberdeen in Scotland.
The US tycoon owns the renowned golf links at Doonbeg in Co Clare, on the west coast of Ireland and is battling to get planning permission for a huge wall to act as a sea defence.
Within hours of Mr Trump announcing his visit on Twitter politicians called for a protest.
Paul Murphy, People Before Profit-Anti Austerity Alliance TD, said Mr Trump should not be given the red carpet treatment.
"Instead there should be a protest to send a clear message that he and his policies aren't welcome here and that we stand in solidarity with the thousands of people from all backgrounds who have protested against him in the US," he said.
Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan has called for a peaceful, purposeful protest to show the world that Ireland rejects the divisive views espoused by Trump.
"We will not meet our common challenges by building walls between nations or by demonising people of different faiths," he said.
"We have skin in this game because his efforts to undermine climate action will put us all at peril.
"We have an obligation during this visit to say to our Irish-American cousins: 'Whatever you do, please do not vote for this man'."
It is not clear what reception will be laid on for Mr Trump's visit in government circles after Taoiseach Enda Kenny recently made a damning criticism of his attitudes to inmigration and branded some comments from the presidential campaign as "racist and dangerous".
Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan was not notified of Mr Trump's planned visit in advance, but said: "Our understanding is that Mr Trump is visiting Ireland in a personal capacity. As is the case with all visitors to this country, we wish him a pleasant stay."
Mr Trump last visited Ireland in 2014 after buying Doonbeg and was met off the plane by Finance Minister Michael Noonan.
Despite widespread opposition to his visit the people of Doonbeg have hailed the return of a "local hero".
Speaking to the Irish News Caroline Kennedy, manager of The Lgoe Inn said the visit would create a "buzz" in the area.
"We’re just delighted with the investment that he’s putting into the area and the golf course, it’s brilliant for all the business in the area, because we get a great spin-off from it."
While Mrs Kennedy admitted the prospect of Mr Trump as president was "scary" she said there was no denying he had been a force for good in the area.
Rita McInerney, CEO of Ennis Chamber of Commerce, and owner of McInerney’s shop and the Wild Atlantic Break coffee shop in Doonbeg said Mr Trump has been treated unfairly over his plans to build a wall to protect the course and said the work was "required".
"There’s great support for the team up there and what they’re doing. Whether it’s the same support for the man himself and the type of policies he has talked about in his campaign I don’t think so," she said.
When asked if she thought the local people would join the protests, Mrs McInerney dismissed the prospect.
"I don’t think they’ll protest against him, because in fairness to him, he’s the head of a corporation that is employing 200 people in rural west Clare where there is very little employment."
