Irish Taoiseach condemns assassination attempt on Donald Trump

Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheál Martin has denounced what he called the “shocking” apparent assassination attempt on US President Donald Trump overnight.

Speaking in Cork, Mr Martin said the scenes were “very serious and very shocking” to witness.

“There can be absolutely no place for violence in politics, and our thoughts are with the police officer, the agent who was injured, and with everyone affected by an event of this nature.”

Mr Martin said there was mounting evidence of rising political violence around the world, adding that “we have to be very clear in our condemnation of that.”

He added: “We’ve all been warned about the lone wolf attack … I do think we always need to be conscious of our language in public life and demonising others.”

Mr Martin said there could be no justification for political violence. “There’s no excuse for the use of the gun in politics, and we have seen far too many incidents and occurrences of political violence across the world and in the United States as well.

“We have to be extremely conscious and vigilant about the proliferation of gun culture as well, but it is quite shocking to see events like this unfold.”

Mr Martin said President Trump had faced a number of attempted assassinations, describing that as “reprehensible and outrageous and shocking that this should be occurring.”

Political violence has no place in democracy, says Harris

Earlier, Tánaiste Simon Harris said political violence has no place in a democracy after a shooting at an event in Washington DC attended by US President Donald Trump.

In a post on X, Mr Harris said his thoughts were with President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice-President JD Vance and all those impacted by last night’s events.

“I am relieved that no one was hurt,” he said.

Political violence has no place in a democracy.

My thoughts are with President Trump, the First Lady, and Vice President Vance and all those affected by last night’s events. I am relieved that no one was hurt.

— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) April 26, 2026

A suspect has been arrested in connection with the shooting.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said the incident was “unacceptable”.

“The armed attack targeting the president of the United States last night is unacceptable. Violence has no place in a democracy,” he said on X.

“I extend my full support to Donald Trump.”

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was “shocked” by the shooting and said it was “a huge relief” that President Donald Trump and others were unharmed.

“Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms,” Mr Starmer said on X.

Mr Starmer sent a message to Mr Trump “in solidarity for the events that took place”, senior minister Darren Jones told UK broadcasters during a round of interviews.

I am shocked by the scenes at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington overnight.

Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.

It is a huge relief that @POTUS, the First Lady and all those…

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) April 26, 2026

The shooting at the annual dinner of the White House Correspondents’ Association came less than 48 hours before Britain’s King Charles is due to arrive in the US for a state visit.

Mr Jones said security teams in Britain and the US were “working closely to ensure the security arrangements are put appropriately in place”.

Buckingham Palace said today that Britain’s King Charles was “greatly relieved” that President Trump, his wife and other guests were “unharmed”.

The incident came less than 48 hours before Charles and Queen Camilla begin a four-day state visit to the United States, including a state dinner on Tuesday.

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