Locals sorry that Don won’t swing by.. DOONBEG VISIT IS AXED
SUPPORTERS of ex-US president Donald Trump are “sorry” that he is not coming out swinging in Doonbeg.
Trump (76), who is being probed by the FBI, was due to play golf at his €40m luxury resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare, next week.
But it was confirmed yesterday that the high-profile visit has been scrapped.
A spokesperson for Trump International Golf Links said: “The visit is not going ahead.”
Trump has a core group of loyal fans in Doonbeg because his purchase of the golf club in 2014 generated employment and transformed the area.
Mortimer McInerney, whose daughter Rita runs the local shop, yesterday told The
Irish Daily Star: “We are sorry to hear that it's cancelled.
“We don’t always agree with his policies, but his business has been good for the area.”
A businessman, who asked not to be named, said: “People were having a clean-up of the area, which is always good, because of the visit.
“But other than that, I'm delighted that he isn't coming.”
Other locals say Trump put the area “on the map” and is still welcome to visit.
A reason for the cancellation was not provided by Trump’s spokesperson and it was not stated if a visit would take place at another time.
A home in Florida was raided by federal agents last week amid an inquiry into the removal of documents from the White House.
Resort
It was expected that Trump would arrive in Ireland around August 27 and stay at his resort for two nights.
As a former world leader, he would have been entitled to security protection in Ireland – with an estimated €1m Garda security bill paid for by taxpayers.
The Trump International Organisation bought the Doonbeg resort eight years ago. Trump hailed the resort “terrific” and “incredible” after €40m was spent on buying it and upgrading the facilities to include a spa and restaurants.