The US Vice President has been criticised for his views on abortion and gay rights, as his state visit to Ireland continues.
Mike Pence left Clare this morning for meetings with the President and the Taoiseach in Dublin, and will return to Doonbeg in Clare this evening for a private dinner with distant relatives.
However, he’s not being welcomed here by all.
Mike Pence flew from Shannon to Dublin this morning, where he met with President Michael D Higgins, and is having lunch with the Taoiseach at Farmleigh this afternoon.
Leo Varadkar says he wants ‘spell out’ the consequences of Brexit for Ireland to Vice President Pence, in the hope that the message will get back to the US administration.
But many are unhappy about his visit, and have criticised his views on abortion and LGBTQ.
Poet Sarah Clancy picketed Shannon Airport yesterday as Air Force Two touched down on Irish soil for the first time.
She feels it was important to stand up to what she calls a homophobic regime and says her demonstration has helped change the conversation about his visit.
The White House insists Mike Pence is not what they call ‘anti-gay’, citing his meeting with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and his meeting with partner Matt Barrett today.
After that he’ll meet with businesses, before flying back to Shannon later, and then onto Doonbeg.
Tonight, he’ll hold a private family dinner this evening in Morrissey’s, which is run by his distant relative Hugh McNally.
