Trump continues Irish visit at golf tournament

US President Donald Trump continues his visit to Ireland on Sunday after stirring up a diplomatic row hours into the trip by backing Irish unification.

Mr Trump starts the day at his golf resort in the southwest of the country as it hosts players including Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry for the Amgen Irish Open.

It is anticipated that he will hand over the winner’s trophy at the Trump International golf resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare – before flying back to the US at the end of a two-day itinerary.

A major security operation is under way for the visit, with Ireland’s police service An Garda Síochána liaising with the Defence Forces and US Secret Service in the area around the resort.

Mr Trump’s presence 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.

He arrived into Ireland on his new Qatar gift Air Force One on Saturday morning, where he met the country’s deputy premier Simon Harris at Dublin Airport.

People take part in an anti-Trump protest march through Dublin city (Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA)

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The US commander-in-chief then met Irish President Catherine Connolly, one of his long-standing critics, at her official residence Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin’s Phoenix Park.

However, it was his next meeting with Irish premier Micheál Martin that caused the biggest stir – as Mr Trump weighed in on the constitutional question by claiming Irish unification was inevitable.

Answering a question from the Press Association, the 47th president said he “would love to see” Ireland unified, adding: “It’s going to happen eventually.”

Irish President Catherine Connolly welcomes US President Donald Trump (James Manning/PA)

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This prompted a a stern rebuke from the Conservatives in the UK while Downing Street pointed to Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s rejection of an immediate border poll earlier in the week.

His comments could further strain relations between the US and the UK, with Mr Trump also casting doubt on Britain’s ability to defend the Falkland Islands during the visit.

On Wednesday, Mr Burnham told MPs a border poll would be considered only when there was “a clear consensus in the country”.

Donald Trump after arriving at Dublin Airport (Clodagh Kilcoyne/PA)

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Conservative deputy leader Alex Burghart said Mr Trump was “very wrong”, adding Northern Ireland was “an integral part” of the UK.

The row may also complicate Washington’s relations with Northern Irish parties.

While Sinn Féin has boycotted the annual St Patrick’s Day visit to Washington over Mr Trump’s Middle East policy, leading unionist parties the DUP and UUP have continued to engage with the president.

In response to his comments, DUP leader Gavin Robinson said Northern Ireland’s future would be decided by its people, not “commentary in London, Dublin or Washington”.

Donald Trump lands in Marine One to attend the Irish Open at the Trump International Golf Links & Hotel (Damien Eagers/PA)

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He added: “As unionists, we are not interested in the destruction of our country by joining with the Irish Republic.”

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said the president’s comments were “timely” and Mr Martin “must now begin planning for a united Ireland”.

The UK-Ireland border remains a sensitive issue, with Mr Burnham triggering a political row earlier in the year after saying a referendum on reunification was “off the table”.

Under the terms of the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, the UK’s Northern Ireland secretary can decide to hold a border poll, and has a duty to call one if it appears likely a majority would vote for Irish unification.

The people of the Republic of Ireland must also vote in favour to effect constitutional change.

Mr Trump said America’s relationship with Ireland had “never been as good as it is right now” while Mr Martin praised the “sporting relationship” between their two countries.