Latest news with #US-Ireland
Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Gardaí dangle '$15m reward' to turn Kinahan's cartel lieutenants
The garda hierarchy is dangling the US $15m reward, and a new life in the US federal witness programme, to coax Kinahan cartel lieutenants to give information leading to the prosecution of its leaders. On Monday, Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and deputy commissioner Justin Kelly called on cartel associates to have a 'really good think' about their future lives as further extraditions from the UAE increase in likelihood. The warning follows the first extradition from the Middle-Eastern state of an Irish national back to Ireland when senior cartel lieutenant Sean McGovern was sent back home to face gangland charges. At a joint US-Ireland launch in Dublin in April 2022, American authorities offered a combined $15m reward for information leading to the prosecution of Daniel Kinahan, his brother Christopher, and their dad and cartel founder, Christy. Mr Harris said: 'I'd like to point out [to] the other senior lieutenants in the Kinahan organised crime group who are now facing justice or who are now imprisoned, the sanctions and the rewards still stand. "There's $15m there of reward money through the federal law enforcement authorities of the US, so that is still in play. "I just want to remind other members of the gang the perilous position they are now in, that ourselves and other law enforcement are fixed on them and are fixed on bringing them, all of them, to justice.' He said the leaders should be afraid. 'Serious life choices' "They should be worried now for a number of years," Mr Harris said. "All of them should be worried and thinking about the choices, the serious life choices that are now ahead of them in respect of what to do over the coming months.' Mr Kelly said that a couple of years ago, when he was assistant commissioner of operations and security, both he and the Garda Commissioner said gardaí would be 'relentless', adding that the extradition of Mr McGovern was 'absolute evidence' of that. He said that, at one point, there were 47 members of the cartel in jail. He called on Kinahan lieutenants to have a 'really good think' about what choices they make in the coming months. One experienced security source said that Mr McGovern's extradition "has spooked" some of the cartel figures. Separately, the Garda Commissioner said suggestions that gardaí should have used a cadaver dog capable of detecting human remains at the home of Tina Satchwell when she went missing in 2017 would form part of a review he had ordered. Richard Satchwell was given a life sentence for the murder of his wife in 2017. Her remains were found in a deep grave under the stairs in October 2023. Last weekend, justice minister Jim O'Callaghan indicated that probably a cadaver dog should have been used in 2017. Reacting, Mr Harris said: 'We want to review all those decisions back in 2017, but what I know from the reporting that I've seen is that the suspicion was that harm had been caused to Tina Satchwell but there was no suspicion that her body was actually there.'
The Independent
25-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Harris discussed Irish surplus with US critic who got figure wrong
Ireland's deputy premier outlined details of the country's 25 billion euro surplus to the US secretary of commerce, an Irish Government spokesman said, after the key critic within the Trump administration claimed it was 60 billion. Simon Harris held a late-night call with Howard Lutnick, which the Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade described as a 'useful opportunity to exchange views'. Speaking on the All-In Podcast last week, Mr Lutnick said Ireland is running a 60 billion-euro surplus. The reality is that the country's surplus is closer to half that amount. Asked if Mr Harris had corrected Mr Lutnick on this figure, a spokesman said: 'The Tanaiste (deputy premier) set out the position of Ireland's perspective and laid out some of the details of Ireland's surplus, for example, but also the two-way economic relationship.' Pressed on whether this included a clarification on the budget surplus figure, the spokesman said he had nothing further to add to a statement on the call which had been issued earlier. The read-out does not say whether the budget surplus was discussed. Mr Harris was previously scrutinised over a separate occasion in which he publicly diverged from an official US account of a diplomatic phone call. Earlier this month, he said a trade imbalance between the US and Ireland was 'not specifically referenced' in his call with US secretary of state Marco Rubio. Mr Harris's account aligned with a readout from the Irish Government about that phone call, which referenced investment in the US but did not mention the trade imbalance. This appeared to contradict comments from a spokeswoman for Mr Rubio, who said he had discussed 'the US priority to address the US-Ireland trade imbalance' with the Irish deputy premier. The US State Department later refused to clarify whether or not the trade imbalance had in fact been directly discussed. However, the discrepancy between Mr Harris's public comments and the US's official account of the call caused heightened anxiety around Taoiseach Micheal Martin's meeting with President Donald Trump the following week. In the intervening period, the trade dispute with the US and EU which is expected to have a significant impact on Ireland's economy has escalated. The US Department of Commerce has not published a statement on the phone call, which is understood to have lasted approximately 20 minutes. The call came amid heightened anxiety about the impact of an escalating tariff dispute between the EU and US. There is concern in Ireland that the new US administration's protectionist approach could pose a risk to an Irish economy which is significantly sustained by long-standing investment from US multinationals. Mr Lutnick has previously described Ireland as his favourite 'tax scam'. He has also said on social media that it is 'nonsense that Ireland of all places runs a trade surplus at our expense'. Speaking on the All-In Podcast last week, Mr Lutnick said: 'We're going to try and fix a whole bunch of these tax scams – Ireland is my favourite.' He added: 'What do they do? Oh, they have all of our (intellectual property) for all our great tech companies and great pharma companies. 'They all put it there because it's low tax. They don't pay us, they pay them – so that is going to end.' Speaking to reporters about Monday's late-night call, Mr Harris said: 'It was an opportunity for me to begin to develop an interpersonal relationship with the man who is going to head up the Commerce Department for President Trump. 'It provided us with an opportunity to exchange views in relation to trade, in relation to tariffs, in relation to the transatlantic relationship and the economic relationship between Ireland and the United States.' Mr Harris said he expressed how Ireland had implemented changes to its corporate tax regime. The Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade added: 'We've agreed to keep in touch, have close contact and to meet in person shortly.' The Irish Government believes it is highly likely that Mr Trump will proceed with further tariffs on the EU on April 2. The EU has delayed until mid-April its countermeasures to the Trump administration's increase in tariffs on all steel and aluminium imports to 25% – which was introduced earlier this month. Europe had intended to implement measures on goods from the US worth some 26 billion euros (£21.5 billion) in two phases, on April 1 and April 13. The tariffs, now delayed until mid-April, were to include steel and aluminium, as well as goods such as bourbon. Mr Trump had announced plans to impose further reciprocal tariffs on April 2. In the Irish context, Mr Harris had previously said that it would 'make sense' for the EU to review the rationale behind which items it had chosen on its countermeasures list. Ireland's Government regards the threat of the US responding by imposing a tariff on alcoholic drinks from the EU as a 'very serious issue', as the Irish drinks sector could be massively impacted by such an escalation. Mr Harris convened a sitting of the Irish Government's Trade Forum on Friday which was focused on the potential impact of the tariffs. He welcomed the delay in implementation of EU countermeasures until the middle of April, adding: 'I hope that that time can be used for intensive, sensible, calm negotiation to find a way forward, because at the end of the day tariffs are bad for consumers and the US-EU relationship economically is so interdependent.' However, Mr Harris said Mr Trump seems determined to introduce further tariffs He said: 'I think that's really regrettable. We'd much rather have talks before tariffs, it seems the United States wants to have tariffs before talks. 'We think that approach is wrong but we have to control what we can control. So we continue to make the case for engagement now.'
The Independent
12-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Trump welcomes Irish premier to White House
Irish premier Micheal Martin has arrived at the West Wing of the White House for a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump. Mr Trump greeted Mr Martin outside and the pair shook hands, ahead of their sit-down engagement in the Oval Office which is likely to focus on Ireland's trading relationship with the US. The Taoiseach has said he intends to highlight a 'two-way street' of investment between the nations in a bid to address concerns the president may voice around a US-Ireland trade imbalance. The meeting comes amid heightened concern that Mr Trump's protectionist approach to tariffs and tax could pose a significant risk to an Irish economy that is in large part sustained by long-standing investment by US multinationals. Mr Trump will later be presented with a bowl of shamrock as the centrepiece of the Irish Government's major overseas diplomatic push in the run-up to St Patrick's Day on March 17. Earlier, Mr Martin hailed the president's focus and 'progress' on brokering peace since he returned to the Oval Office. He made the remarks while attending a breakfast meeting at the US vice-president's official residence as part of a day of engagements in Washington DC. Mr Martin and his wife Mary were greeted by Vice-President JD Vance and his wife Usha at the US Naval Observatory. Mr Vance hailed the US relationship with Ireland as 'one of the great alliances' between nations. 'One of the things we try to do with this breakfast is just remind people of the important bonds of friendship between the United States and Ireland,' he said. The Taoiseach praised efforts by the new US administration to place a focus on peace, referring to the conflict in the Middle East and war in Ukraine. Mr Martin said peace on the island of Ireland is 'a signature achievement' of US foreign policy, and that Ireland is ready to 'play our part' in ending other conflicts. 'Nowhere is the strength of the US-Irish relationship more in evidence than in our own peace process,' Mr Martin said. 'Forty-four years ago, president Reagan called for a just and peaceful solution to the conflict that has for so long devastated lives on our island. 'Politicians from both sides of the aisle rose to the occasion, and the lasting peace we enjoy today on our island is a signature achievement of US foreign policy. 'This story of peace is one that we both wrote together. We know that building peace is a difficult and painstaking task, and we are ready to play our part in supporting work to end conflict and to secure peace in Ukraine or in the Middle East or wherever. 'We welcome very much the unrelenting focus and effort that President Trump and his administration has brought to this task from his very first days in office, and we welcome the progress that is clearly being made.' Mr Martin also invited Mr Vance and his wife to Ireland – having previously undertaken a road trip around Ireland in 2023 – and extended a particular invite to Mr Martin's native Co Cork. 'We would be honoured and delighted to welcome you both back to our shores before too long,' Mr Martin said. 'Now, the vice-president did say the road trip could be somewhat difficult next time around, given the number of vehicles that might have to be attached.' Referring to his visit to Ireland, Mr Vance praised its 'incredible' communities, 'beautiful' landscapes and 'interesting technological growth'. He said: 'One of the more robust areas for us to work on with our Irish friends in the years to come is going to be technology and particularly artificial intelligence, as we really take the next stage in an important level of technological progress.' Sporting a pair of shamrock socks which he showed to the room, Mr Vance added: 'The president is a very big fan of conservative dress, and so if he notices these socks, you have to defend this as an important part of cementing the Irish-American relationship.' Mr Martin thanked Mr Vance for his 'warm welcome and hospitality' and joked he would need to 'adjust very rapidly' his dress sense after seeing Mr Vance's socks. He continued: 'The United States has been a steadfast friend of Ireland for centuries. Indeed, the United States was the first country to recognise our long-sought independence,' Mr Martin said. 'Together, we have built deep and enduring political, cultural and economic bonds, greatly enriching our two nations in the process.' US health secretary Robert F Kennedy and Ireland's ambassador to the US Geraldine Byrne Nason were among attendees at the US Naval Observatory breakfast meeting.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump welcomes Irish premier to White House
Irish premier Micheal Martin has arrived at the West Wing of the White House for a bilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump. Mr Trump greeted Mr Martin outside and the pair shook hands, ahead of their sit-down engagement in the Oval Office which is likely to focus on Ireland's trading relationship with the US. The Taoiseach has said he intends to highlight a 'two-way street' of investment between the nations in a bid to address concerns the president may voice around a US-Ireland trade imbalance. The meeting comes amid heightened concern that Mr Trump's protectionist approach to tariffs and tax could pose a significant risk to an Irish economy that is in large part sustained by long-standing investment by US multinationals. Mr Trump will later be presented with a bowl of shamrock as the centrepiece of the Irish Government's major overseas diplomatic push in the run-up to St Patrick's Day on March 17. Earlier, Mr Martin hailed the president's focus and 'progress' on brokering peace since he returned to the Oval Office. He made the remarks while attending a breakfast meeting at the US vice-president's official residence as part of a day of engagements in Washington DC. Mr Martin and his wife Mary were greeted by Vice-President JD Vance and his wife Usha at the US Naval Observatory. Mr Vance hailed the US relationship with Ireland as 'one of the great alliances' between nations. 'One of the things we try to do with this breakfast is just remind people of the important bonds of friendship between the United States and Ireland,' he said. The Taoiseach praised efforts by the new US administration to place a focus on peace, referring to the conflict in the Middle East and war in Ukraine. Mr Martin said peace on the island of Ireland is 'a signature achievement' of US foreign policy, and that Ireland is ready to 'play our part' in ending other conflicts. 'Nowhere is the strength of the US-Irish relationship more in evidence than in our own peace process,' Mr Martin said. 'Forty-four years ago, president Reagan called for a just and peaceful solution to the conflict that has for so long devastated lives on our island. 'Politicians from both sides of the aisle rose to the occasion, and the lasting peace we enjoy today on our island is a signature achievement of US foreign policy. 'This story of peace is one that we both wrote together. We know that building peace is a difficult and painstaking task, and we are ready to play our part in supporting work to end conflict and to secure peace in Ukraine or in the Middle East or wherever. 'We welcome very much the unrelenting focus and effort that President Trump and his administration has brought to this task from his very first days in office, and we welcome the progress that is clearly being made.' Mr Martin also invited Mr Vance and his wife to Ireland – having previously undertaken a road trip around Ireland in 2023 – and extended a particular invite to Mr Martin's native Co Cork. 'We would be honoured and delighted to welcome you both back to our shores before too long,' Mr Martin said. 'Now, the vice-president did say the road trip could be somewhat difficult next time around, given the number of vehicles that might have to be attached.' Referring to his visit to Ireland, Mr Vance praised its 'incredible' communities, 'beautiful' landscapes and 'interesting technological growth'. He said: 'One of the more robust areas for us to work on with our Irish friends in the years to come is going to be technology and particularly artificial intelligence, as we really take the next stage in an important level of technological progress.' Sporting a pair of shamrock socks which he showed to the room, Mr Vance added: 'The president is a very big fan of conservative dress, and so if he notices these socks, you have to defend this as an important part of cementing the Irish-American relationship.' Mr Martin thanked Mr Vance for his 'warm welcome and hospitality' and joked he would need to 'adjust very rapidly' his dress sense after seeing Mr Vance's socks. He continued: 'The United States has been a steadfast friend of Ireland for centuries. Indeed, the United States was the first country to recognise our long-sought independence,' Mr Martin said. 'Together, we have built deep and enduring political, cultural and economic bonds, greatly enriching our two nations in the process.' US health secretary Robert F Kennedy and Ireland's ambassador to the US Geraldine Byrne Nason were among attendees at the US Naval Observatory breakfast meeting.
The Independent
10-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Irish premier tells companies ‘hold the nerve' in face of US tariff threat
Companies operating in Ireland need to 'hold the nerve' in the face of threatened US tariffs, the Irish premier has told a major conference in Texas. Taoiseach Micheal Martin has said he will tell President Donald Trump that there is a 'two-way street' of investment between the US and Ireland when they meet later this week. Amid heightened concern that the president's protectionist approach to tariffs and tax could pose a significant risk to an Irish economy that is in large part sustained by long-standing investment by US multinational, Mr Martin will also seek to promote the virtues of the US-Ireland relationship which he said 'is a bit more complex than gets presented by figures'. Mr Martin will hold talks with Mr Trump in the Oval Office on Wednesday, but he began his traditional St Patrick's programme of engagements in the US with a visit to Austin, Texas – a state the Taoiseach said had witnessed a 'new wave of Irish investment' with 120 Irish companies creating about 4,000 jobs. The Fianna Fail leader said he wanted to use the trip to highlight the 'enduring nature' of the US-Irish economic relationship. Mr Martin initially declined to be drawn on questions about how he intended to handle the meeting with Mr Trump in Washington DC, insisting he was taking his visit 'day by day' and that his focus on Monday was on engagements in Austin, including a meeting with Republican state governor Greg Abbott. 'I represent the country, the people of Ireland, and I am very, very conscious that in a very challenging world, thousands and thousands of jobs depend on the economic relationship between the United States and Ireland,' he added. 'And my overriding objective is to copper fasten that for the time ahead and to protect those people who are working in jobs. And that is very important.' Pressed on his strategy for the meeting with Mr Trump, Mr Martin said: 'Our strategy really is to – notwithstanding all the commentary – bring home the idea that (the US has) an enduring, robust presence in Ireland and the relationship is a very strong one that we want to see grow into the future.' However, he later revealed his main emphasis for the meeting when he appeared for a fireside chat at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival: 'How it's a two-way street will be the main point I'd be making. 'It's not just American investment in Ireland, it's Irish investment in America as well. 'We are buying a lot of stuff, a lot of American products. We have a lot of Irish companies based here that will grow, and that will continue to grow.' Mr Martin also urged companies with investments in Ireland not to 'react too quickly' to the threat of Mr Trump imposing 25% tariffs on the EU, adding that they should see 'how the land settles'. He said: 'Hold the nerve, this is a period we've got to navigate.' The Taoiseach also argued that Ireland is a 'powerful base' for US companies to access the European single market. Elsewhere, he said that Ryanair and AerCap's purchase of Boeing aircraft is not captured in the US Department of Commerce figures and that Ireland's 'high standards' in life sciences is beneficial to US pharmaceutical companies. Earlier on his Monday itinerary, Mr Martin visited US multinational tech companies Dell and Tricentis, with the latter announcing plans to hire 50 additional staff in its Cork base over the coming years. 'Meetings of this kind very often can sow a seed for future investments,' he said. 'To bring home to the companies the strength of what Ireland has to offer in terms of a stable political environment, a very clear investment framework, and also then in terms of human capital.' Mr Martin said Ireland had a strong position as a member of the European Union to attract the right employees to meet the objectives of companies investing in the country. For the Irish creative sector, the Taoiseach told a different SXSW panel that Ireland can offer filmmakers competitive tax incentives, funding supports and excellent production facilities. That event was staged at the Marlow bar in downtown Austin, which the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs has rebranded as Ireland House for the festival. There, Mr Martin also met companies that were supported by the Enterprise Ireland development agency and spoke at a a 'pop-up Gaeltacht' aimed at promoting the Irish language. The Taoiseach earlier insisted that the US remained an 'indispensable partner at a time of great peril in the world'. Mr Martin and Mr Trump are expected to discuss a range of issues on Wednesday, including the war in Ukraine and the situations in the Middle East and Northern Ireland. The Irish leader will later present Mr Trump with the traditional shamrock bowl in the White House, extending St Patrick's Day greetings from the people of Ireland to the people of the US A host of Irish Government ministers will also travel to the US, including deputy premier Tanaiste Simon Harris, who will visit Philadelphia and New York, at a time described as a key juncture in European-US relations. Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly will lead an NI Chamber business delegation to North Carolina on Monday. Ms Little-Pengelly will later travel alone to Washington DC for engagements. Ms O'Neill and Sinn Fein party colleagues are not travelling to Washington as part of 'a principled stance against the threat of mass expulsion of the Palestinian people from Gaza'.
