'Normalization of war and genocide’ unacceptable, Irish president tells Trump

Ireland’s President Catherine Connolly has told US President Donald Trump that the “normalization of war and genocide” can never be accepted, reiterating the Irish people’s commitment to international relations, the United Nations and peacekeeping.

Connolly made the remarks in a statement following her meeting with Trump in Dublin on Saturday, saying she had conveyed the “strong view of the Irish people” that war and genocide must not become normalized.

“As a country which has suffered famine, colonization and the violence of the Troubles, but also [knows] the importance of the long and challenging road to peace, I emphasized the unique insight which Irish people can bring to the resolution of conflict,” she said.

Connolly also highlighted Ireland’s contribution to UN peacekeeping since 1958 and said the country would “strongly support all those who have the strength to build a shared peace” in parts of the world suffering from war and violence.

She said the world was facing “the existential threat posed by war and climate change,” adding that the two threats were “inextricably interlinked.”

"I assured President Trump 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."

Connolly’s comments came against the backdrop of her previous criticism of Trump. As an independent left-wing member of parliament for Galway, she protested against Trump’s 2019 visit to Ireland and has since strongly condemned his support of Israel’s genocide in Gaza.

Her statement follows Trump’s remarks that Irish reunification would be “a fantastic thing” and would eventually happen.

“I’d love to see it unified,” he said when asked about the issue during a meeting with Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

Trump acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue but said he believed reunification would ultimately take place.

“It’s going to happen eventually,” he said, adding that he believed Martin was “the right man” to help move the process forward.

His comments drew criticism from unionist politicians in Northern Ireland, who oppose reunification with the Republic of Ireland and favor remaining part of the United Kingdom.

Gavin Robinson, leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, said Northern Ireland’s future “will be decided by the people of Northern Ireland, not by commentary in London, Dublin or Washington.”

Trump arrived in Ireland on Saturday for talks with Irish leaders before attending a tournament at one of his golf courses.

Heavy security was deployed around Dublin’s Phoenix Park and Doonbeg ahead of Trump’s visit, as protesters planned demonstrations against the US president, including a “No welcome for Trump” rally in central Dublin.

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