Trumps lands in County Clare for visit to Ireland

By PA reporter

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania have arrived in Ireland.

Air Force One touched down at Shannon Airport at around 4.45pm on Wednesday.

The White House press corps were first off the back of Air Force One before Mr Trump appeared at the top of the steps of the plane and waved, followed by Melania, who also waved, before the pair descended the steps together.

They were greeted by Ireland's premier Leo Varadkar.

About a hundred people turned out to protest the arrival of President Trump at the entrance to Shannon Airport.

The group are protesting the president's policies on climate change and the use of Shannon Airport by the American military.

Protesters were adorned in the flags of Palestine, Honduras, Venezuela and Ireland.

One demonstrator, John Crone, said: "The only person not welcome in Ireland is Trump.

"America has turned Shannon into a war-port."

Saoirse Exton, 13, says she felt she had to come to Shannon Airport and protest the President as climate change is the biggest challenge facing the world.

"He pulled out of the Paris Climate accord, that's ridiculous," she said.

"My generation are the last generation who are going to be able to do anything about this.

"This is my 15th protest and I'll continue to protest until governments start taking it seriously."

Mr Trump has gone into the Presidential Suite at Shannon Airport for a meeting with Mr Varadkar.

Speaking to the media, Mr Varadkar said it was a great honour to welcome President Trump to Ireland.

Mr Trump responded by saying he and Mr Varadkar have become friends, adding: "We love the Irish - it's an honour to be here."

Mr Trump said Ireland and the US do a lot of business together and noted it is one of the leading countries in terms of people moving to the US.

"We have millions of Irish and I think I know most of them because they are my friends, we love the Irish, so it's an honour to be here, we will be discussing various things, probably he'll ask me about Brexit because I know some very good people that are very likely to welcome Brexit.

"I think it will all work out very well also for you, with your wall, your border, I mean we have a border situation in the United States."

He said he also expects to discuss the military and trade and Mr Varadkar.

"It's an honour to be in Ireland with my friend and he is doing a great job as your Prime Minister," Mr Trump added.

Mr Varadkar responded by saying Ireland wanted to avoid a border or a wall.

Mr Trump was asked about Irish President Michael D Higgins' comments about his "regressive" record on climate change.

Mr Trump responded: "I haven't heard those comments, but we have the cleanest air in the world in the United States and it's gotten better since I became president, we have the cleanest water, it is crystal clear, I always say I want crystal clear water and air, so I haven't heard his comments, but we are setting records environmentally."