Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Adams told Sinn Féin supporters that Brexit represents "an opportunity". Twitter/GerryAdams
Friends of Sinn Féin

Gerry Adams is in the US and has passed on congratulations to Donald Trump

Adams last night spoke at the annual Friends of Sinn Féin dinner.

SINN FÉIN LEADER Gerry Adams has congratulated Donald Trump on his election as US president.

Adams is currently in the US and last night spoke at the annual dinner of campaign and fundraising group Friends of Sinn Féin.

The group posted a statement from Adams on its Facebook page following the election of Trump on Tuesday.

“The people of the USA have spoken,” Adams said.

Donald Trump had been elected as the 45th President of the USA. I congratulate him. The onus is on the President-elect to represent all the people of the USA and to play a positive and progressive role in world affairs.

During his speech last night, Adams also made reference to the election of Trump, noting “division” within US society.

“This is a great country. It gave many of you and your families opportunities you were denied at home. Of course, like all human societies, there are many contradictions and divisions, conflicts and complexities,” Adams said.

Adams went on to say that one of Trump’s greatest challenges will be to “play a positive and progressive role in world affairs”

“That includes Ireland,” he added.

Adams and Trump previously met in 1995 when Adams visited New York following the IRA’s ceasefire.

PastedImage-44245 Gerry Adams and Donald Trump at the Essex House hotel in 1995. Youtube / AP Youtube / AP / AP

At the dinner last night, Adams also told the US-based Sinn Féin supporters that Brexit represents an “opportunity” for those who work towards a united Ireland.

“Brexit will reshape arrangements and relationships between Ireland and Britain and between us and the European Union. Our task must be to ensure that any new arrangements on the island of Ireland are to the mutual benefit of everyone who lives here,” Adams said.

This means that the Irish government must uphold the vote of the people in the North who have refused to give their consent to be taken out of the EU by London.

Adams also said that the Irish government was not “working towards Irish unity” and accused both the media and policy makers of “partitionist thinking”.

Read: Here’s what’s on the menu for Sinn Féin’s €500-a-plate NY fundraiser >

Read: Steak and Gerry: Inside Sinn Féin’s hugely successful New York fundraiser >

Your Voice
Readers Comments
76
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.