Sir – Michael McDowell lapses when he calls the duly elected president of the United States “the idiot king” and a “shameful, disreputable clown” (“What a shameful, disreputable clown Trump is”, Opinion, August 19th).
Trump usually gets it right on the big strategic questions. His warnings about China, European defence and border security are now concerns widely shared.
Mr McDowell is, of course, entitled to disagree with Trump. But disagreement does not require personal abuse.
We should give Trump a courteous welcome to Ireland as the duly elected president of the United States, a country whose companies over decades of investment have transformed our economy. – Yours, etc,
RM Block
JOHN REDMOND,
Mount Merrion,
Co Dublin.
Sir, – Is it really true that president Trump is coming to pay Ireland a visit?
I watched a recent video of him playing golf and under the trees, not far away, was a surface-to-air missile launcher.
The threat to Trump’s life is very real, following the stalemate in the Middle East. We saw how he had to switch planes in Turkey in July to go to the UK.
If he does arrive here then what sort of security has the Government in mind for him?
I hardly think it’s up to what would be required, but they could surprise me.
I think the Government should issue a statement saying that while they welcome international visitors and especially Trump, they must decline in this case – given the potential for unforeseen risks – and hoping that while no ill-feeling is intended or expressed, they do wish the president every good success in all his endeavours. – Yours, etc,
DAVID LYONS,
Bridgefoot Street,
Dublin.
