Carlow councillors express concern over St. Patrick’s Day trip to ‘scary’ United States

A number of Carlow councillors have expressed concern about the local authority’s planned St. Patrick’s Day trip to the United States.

At the January plenary meeting of Carlow County Council, it was proposed that Fianna Fáil councillors Daniel Pender and John Pender, along with Fine Gael councillor Paul Doogue, travel to New York on behalf of the council.

However, People Before Profit-Solidarity councillor Adrienne Wallace expressed her opposition to the trip in light of the actions of US President Donald Trump.

She said that the United States is “slowly becoming a bit of a fascist state” and cited the killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent in Minnesota.

She suggested that the council invites people from the United States to Carlow, rather than going there.

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Cllr Wallace said: “We’ve seen a lot of bad things happen there and it’s a bit worrying, but now more than ever I think we actually need to stay in contact with the Irish diaspora.

“What I’d suggest is that we invite some key figures over here to celebrate in Carlow because America is a very dangerous, scary place at the moment.

“They’ve invaded Venezuela, they’re looking to invade Iran and Greenland. Do we want to continue to endorse that?

“I think it’s important to keep the connection with the community we have there but maybe have it in Carlow where it might be a bit safer, first and foremost.”

“I’m just putting it out there but I think it’s something that should be considered at the very least,” she concluded.

These sentiments were echoed by independent councillor Charlie Murphy, who also cited the killing of Renee Good, as well as threats made against Greenland.

Cllr Murphy said: “This is getting fairly serious stuff now. Look, I know it’s a tradition that we go over there every year, wear a funny cap, everyone thinks we’re great and we go on the beer, everything’s great and we all have a laugh.

“But there’s more to do this now than there used to be. It’s getting serious.” He suggested that the council could decide not to travel to US in order to send a message.

He stated: “If you look at what’s at stake here, maybe not being there might be more beneficial to the people of America than being there.

“That’s what I’m inclined to think because America up to not long ago was the beacon of light, was the beacon of freedom, was where our huddled masses could go in time of need but that has changed utterly.

“Now, whoever is going to America, make sure your social media, you haven’t got any anti- Donald Trump stuff on it, because it will be looked at. That’s what we’re endorsing here now.”

Meanwhile, independent councillor Will Paton argued that it was more important than ever that the council does travel to the United States.

He mentioned how this year marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the US and cited the number of Irish men who fought in the American War of Independence.

He went on to suggest that the council delegation make clear the role Irish people have played in the history of the United States.

Cllr Paton said: “I think the people who are going, I wish you the best of luck but I think you have a job to do when you’re there.

“One of the things I’d like you to do is talk to the senators as you meet them and the various different members of Congress and talk about the undocumented Irish.

“If the number of people involved in the Continental Army was as high as 25 to 30 per cent, we could appeal to President Trump to repay that on the 250th anniversary and look at the undocumented Irish.”

He went on to say that he has heard “horror stories” of Irish people being forced to leave the US after 40 or 50 years.

Cllr Paton continued: “I think we have a real chance here that the GOP could be convinced that this is the way to go, that you need to reward the people who gave birth to your country.

“The best of luck to those who are going, but I want a written report back or better still a presentation of what you did when you were there.”

“To me, the single most important reason you're going is to support the undocumented Irish,” he concluded.

Sinn Féin councillor Andy Gladney said that he agreed with the likes of Cllr Wallace and Cllr Murphy, but stressed the importance of the relationship between Ireland and the United States.

Cllr Gladney said: “While I would agree with Cllr Murphy and Cllr Wallace and other councillors what they have said, I suppose America has been very good to Ireland.

“I wish the lads well in their journey to America and they will no doubt be made very welcome in America.

“We do very well out of America in relation to American companies being here and we do very well with corporate tax out of American companies operating within Ireland.”

He concluded by saying that those going on the trip would “want to be treading very lightly” because “things are not going to get better over there”.

At the end of the discussion, it was agreed that the trip would go ahead and that the three proposed councillors would travel to New York.