Trump continues Irish visit at golf tournament

US President Donald Trump with his son Eric Trump (Damien Eagers/PA) PA Wire Press Association Reporters 1 minute ago 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) PA Wire 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) PA Wire 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) PA Wire Conservative deputy leader Alex Burghart said Mr Trump was “very wrong”, adding Northern Ireland was “an integral part” of the UK.

Donald Trump turns focus to golf after sparking row with Irish unity remarks