Sinn Féin have confirmed that they will take part in protests taking place during Donald Trump's visit to Ireland this weekend.
This was confirmed by the party's leader, Mary Lou McDonald, who said that they will champion the protests as the US continues to facilitate the "onslaught against the Palestinian people".
Elsewhere, McDonald said that she also hopes that ahead of their meeting, President Catherine Connolly will ask Mr Trump about the genocide in Gaza, adding that she believes it is "quite correct" that a number of protests are being scheduled to take place across the president's visit to Ireland.
"I'm not surprised that there will be protests at this visit", Mary Lou McDonald said at Sinn Féin's Think-in in Malahide, Dublin. "I think it is quite correct, given the scale of the breaches of international law, given the genocide in Palestine, events in Gaza, and on the West Bank".
She continued: "We're seeing settler violence at a rate that is literally unspeakable, described as terrorism, even by some of the state of Israel's closest allies, and the United States".
"And I say this with deep, deep regret and some anger, facilitates that, facilitates Israel in its onslaught against the Palestinian people, so quite correctly, there will be a protest against that. I would be deeply shocked if there weren't, and yes, Sinn Féin will be there".
Ms McDonald did not get drawn into whether she believes it is appropriate for Ireland to spend millions to facilitate on this upcoming visit.
"So I think when there is any high-profile visit to the state, the necessary security arrangements will follow. I think that's just the nature of it", she said.
The Sinn Féin leader hopes that President Connolly will raise the issues of Palestine and the US' "ongoing facilitation and arming of Israel", when she meets with Mr Trump.
"I think, given the opportunity, I would hope that the president would raise that", she added. "I understand that it'll probably be quite a short interaction. I understand it is a courtesy call. I think President Connolly's positions on all of these matters are very well documented".
McDonald added that she remains aware that it is likely to be a short meeting, unlike the Taoiseach's meeting with Mr Trump at Farmeligh house.
"By contrast, the Taoiseach will have every opportunity again to very clearly set out the views and position of the Irish state and the Irish people, and I believe that he must do so very, very clearly and very firmly", she said. (All quotes according to DublinLive).
Ahead of this weekend, it was reported that the Revolutionary Communists of Ireland are to organise a protest at Parnell Square at 12.45 pm on Saturday. More on this from Nova here.
Meanwhile, the General Manager of Trump International Golf Links & Hotel in Doonbeg, Joe Russell said that Gardaí are preparing for expected protests during Mr Trump's visit to Ireland this weekend.
