AT the start of his two-day visit to Ireland President Donald Trump travelled to Áras an Uachtaráin to meet President Catherine Connolly.
Speaking after the meeting, President Connolly heralded the "strong ties" between Ireland and America. “This is a deep connection, built over centuries, which allows us to speak openly to one another," she said, adding: "I conveyed the strong view of the Irish people that the normalisation of war and genocide can never be accepted. As a country which has suffered famine, colonisation and the violence of the Troubles, but also the importance of the long and challenging road to peace, I emphasised the unique insight which Irish people can bring to the resolution of conflict."
President Connolly stressed to her American counterpart that "the Irish people would strongly support all those who have the strength to build a shared peace in all those parts of the world currently suffering from such horrific war and violence".
Referencing the President's views on Irish reunification, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said that "the conversation on Irish unity has shifted, and the onus is on the Taoiseach to begin planning." She added: "We have secured peace, and as we approach the thirtieth anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement our national journey is now reunification, which is organised, planned and a peaceful transition.”
