Donald Trump will touch down in Ireland tomorrow after his legal troubles meant he had to cancel a visit last month.
The former US president is set to land at Shannon Airport from Scotland before heading to his five-star Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Doonbeg in Co Clare.
The Irish Mirror has learned he had wanted to come back here a number of weeks ago before US President Joe Biden’s four-day visit but it was scuppered when he was hit with criminal charges.
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He had to stay in the US to appear in court and it’s understood he was uncertain at the time if he had to give up his passport.
Gardai, who were made aware of the initial trip, were later told it was not going ahead.
Trump faces 34 felony charges over alleged hush money paid to porn star Stormy Daniel, which he denies.
A US security source said: “He was due to come along with a huge group of his buddies for a golf trip.
“It was planned for up to three days. But because of court proceedings, Trump couldn’t make it and it was all cancelled.”
The 76-year-old is the first sitting or ex-leader to face criminal charges – including falsifying business records and conspiracy.
But just over two weeks on from Biden’s historic speech in Ballina, Co Mayo, the tycoon will finally get here to inspect his west coast property.
Sources said that, while his team is still finalising plans, the Irish leg of his trip could only be a 24-hour “pitstop” on the way home to the US.
Managing Director of Trump Doonbeg Joe Russell has met the gardai and US Secret Service officials ahead of his boss’ arrival.
He said: “He’s arriving from Scotland – he’ll be here on Wednesday night.
“He’ll have a lot of stakeholders both from the security services at home and overseas to contend with.
“And we have a lot of inquiries. So we just need to deal with those as best as we can.”
Mr Russell added Trump’s business has provided 300 jobs.
He said: “The impact of the business both in terms of direct and indirect employment is significant.
“We’d be the biggest employer in this area. We have mums and dads and sons and daughters all working here.
“Well our business has never been better, consistently since 2014, 2015 and 2016 with the exceptions of Covid-19.”
After Trump arrived in Scotland yesterday, he told his own social media platform he is going to the Menie Estate near Aberdeen to open a “spectacular” golf course.
He and his son Eric arrived at Aberdeen Airport at about 11.30am and were met by two pipers, a red carpet and a 10-vehicle motorcade.
Before getting into one of the cars, Mr Trump said: “It’s great to be home, this was the home of my mother.” His mother Mary was born on the Isle of Lewis before emigrating to the US.
Trump is running for the White House again in 2024 and is seen as the presumptive Republican nominee. As he left the US, he claim- ed a victory for him would make America “greater than ever before”.
He wrote: “Will be leaving for Scotland & Ireland soon in order to see and inspect my great properties.
“The golf courses and hotels are among the greatest in the world – Turnberry Aberdeen and Doonbeg.
“Will be meeting with many wonderful friends and cutting a ribbon for a new and spectacular second course in Aberdeen.
“Very exciting despite the fact it is ‘make America great again’ that is on my mind, in fact, America will be greater than ever before.”
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