The sister of President Catherine Connolly told CNN that the White House should be “flattened” on the same day she met US President Donald Trump at Áras an Uachtaráin.
Dr Margaret Connolly, an outspoken activist, made the remarks while taking part in a Dublin protest against Mr Trump and the US role in the war in Gaza. The demonstration took place on Saturday, the first day of the American president’s visit to Ireland.
Dr Connolly, who was previously detained by Israel while attempting to reach Gaza on an aid flotilla, was filmed by CNN speaking about Mr Trump. “You are murdering and slaughtering and causing a genocide. Take your goddamn rubble home and flatten your bloody White House,” she said.
Earlier that day, Mr Trump met President Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin before holding bilateral talks with Taoiseach Micheál Martin at Farmleigh House in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. The US president later travelled to his golf course in Doonbeg, Co. Clare, where he watched the Irish Open, won by Offaly golfer Shane Lowry.
Catherine Connolly’s sister Dr Margaret Connolly speaks on CNN
The visit was widely described by the Government as a success. Mr Trump pledged to help facilitate the delivery of Irish aid into Gaza and later announced that tariffs on Irish whiskey would be removed.
After meeting Mr Trump, President Connolly said she had raised the situation in Gaza and conveyed “the strong view of the Irish people that the normalisation of war and genocide can never be accepted”.
However, Dr Margaret Connolly’s incendiary remarks risk overshadowing the diplomatic achievements of the visit.
The White House did not feature photographs or video of Mr Trump’s meeting with President Connolly in a video posted on the administration’s official X account.
Discussing the official White House video covering Mr Trump’s trip to Ireland, a source described the meeting with President Connolly as a “courtesy call”. The source noted that the press had covered President Trump’s arrival at the residence. A spokesman for Mr Trump said there was no comment.
Catherine Connolly shakes hands with her US counterpart
Mr Trump’s arrival in Ireland prompted protests in Dublin, Shannon and Doonbeg. Several American media organisations, including CNN, travelled to Dublin to report on the presidential visit and the demonstrations.
The CNN video showing Dr Connolly, which was shared on TikTok and other social media platforms, does not identify her as President Connolly’s sister.
The Mail attempted to contact Dr Connolly through her GP surgery in Sligo. After staff were told the caller was from the Irish Daily Mail, the person who answered said: “The Irish Daily Mail, no thank you,” before ending the call.
Further questions about whether Dr Connolly had identified herself to CNN as the President’s sister, or had told her sister that she had spoken to the network, received no response.
The Mail also contacted CNN to ask whether Dr Connolly had disclosed her relationship to President Connolly.
The Office of the President, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the US Embassy in Dublin were also approached for comment.
Dr Connolly appeared to make the remarks during Saturday’s Dublin protest, just hours after her sister’s meeting with Mr Trump at Áras an Uachtaráin.
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A GP based in Sligo, Dr Connolly has worked in general practice for more than 40 years.
President Connolly held a 20-minute meeting with Mr Trump at Áras an Uachtaráin shortly after the US president arrived in Ireland on Saturday morning.
Sources said the meeting was cordial and that there were no disagreements between the two presidents.
In a statement released afterwards, President Connolly said: “As President of Ireland, I am very conscious that Ireland and the United States of America are bound by strong ties.
“This is a deep connection, built over centuries, which allows us to speak openly to one another. We are in a world facing the existential threat posed by war and climate change, both of which are inextricably interlinked.
“I conveyed the strong view of the Irish people that the normalisation of war and genocide can never be accepted. As a country which has suffered famine, colonisation and the violence of the Troubles, but also understands the importance of the long and challenging road to peace, I emphasised the unique insight which Irish people can bring to the resolution of conflict.”
Shane Lowry with the Irish Open trophy at Trump’s Doonbeg golf course
Ms Connolly said she also underlined Ireland’s strong support for the United Nations. This included, she said, the pride Irish people take in the country’s contribution to UN peacekeeping since 1958, as well as the obligations set out in Article 29 of the Constitution concerning the peaceful resolution of international disputes.
The President added that she had assured Mr 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”.
Mr Trump did not take questions about the subjects discussed during his meeting with President Connolly.
At a press conference with the Taoiseach at Farmleigh House following the meeting at the Áras, Mr Trump described his conversation with Ms Connolly as “very nice” and “very respectful”.
When asked for more detail, Mr Trump invited his chief of protocol, Monica Crowley, to explain. “The president had a very constructive conversation with President Connolly today about a whole range of issues including energy and European supplies of energy,” she said.
Mr Trump said President Connolly was “terrific”, adding: “It was quite pleasant, we talked about a lot of things.”
Support for Irish unification was among the most notable subjects linked to the US president’s visit. The Irish Mail on Sunday reported that Mr Trump had raised the issue with President Connolly, asking within minutes of the private meeting how “the merger” was progressing. At a later joint press conference with the Taoiseach, he said he would “love” to see the North and the Republic reunite.
Catherine Connolly after being detained by Israeli forces in May
President Connolly presented Mr Trump with a St Brigid’s Cross, a copy of Navigatio Sancti Brendani – The Voyage Of St Brendan, and a collection of poems by Michael Longley, including his sonnet Ceasefire.
Dr Connolly founded her GP practice in Sligo in 1992. Originally from Galway city, she grew up in Shantalla with 13 siblings, one of whom is President Connolly. She is married to Sligo county councillor Declan Bree.
Earlier this year, she was among hundreds of activists detained by Israel while attempting to reach Gaza as part of an aid flotilla. She was sent home several days later and alleged that detainees had been struck with guns and stepped on.
