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Murphy defends Sinn Féin's White House boycott

PA Media Conor Murphy standing in front of the Irish parliament wearing a grey coat, maroon jumper and white shirt. He is looking a the camera with a neutral expression.PA Media

Sinn Féin Senator Conor Murphy has said his party's boycott of St Patrick's Day celebrations in the US "wasn't a decision that was taken lightly", but was "necessary".

On Friday, the party announced it will not travel to Washington DC for the annual festivities next month over US President Donald Trump's stance on the Israel-Gaza conflict.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill said she is "taking a stand against injustice" and can not attend events "in good conscience" following the US president's remarks on Gaza earlier this month.

However, no invites have been officially issued yet.

The US president previously suggested the US could "take over" and "own" Gaza while resettling its population in the process.

'Necessary to take a stand'

"The core purpose [of visiting Washington DC] is a celebration of our national day in the United States and I don't think it's possible for us to [do that]," Murphy told the BBC's Sunday Politics programme.

Former Economy Minister Murphy was elected to the Seanad (Irish parliament's upper chamber) earlier this month, resigning from his ministerial role and ending a long career at Stormont.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill says it is "important that political leaders take a stand"

DUP assembly member Diane Dodds described Sinn Féin's position as "rank hypocrisy".

Also speaking on Sunday Politics, she said that the party attended the White House last year "when bombs were falling in Gaza, to celebrate St Patrick's Day with a more nationalist president".

Dodds described the US as Northern Ireland's "most important foreign direct investment partner".

She accused Sinn Féin of "positioning themselves with left-wing politics in the Republic ahead of the presidential election".

Earlier, DUP leader Gavin Robinson criticised the decision as "short-sighted and counterproductive", and confirmed his party would attend the St Patrick's Day events.

When power-sharing is functioning, it is custom for the first and deputy first ministers to make the trip.

O'Neill said she had informed Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly of her decision this morning, and will not "stand in her way" if she wishes to go.

'Cannot be business as usual'

There had been growing calls for Sinn Féin to make its position clear, after the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) clarified it will not take part in celebrations if invited.

On Friday, SDLP leader Claire Hanna said she was glad there was a "realisation things cannot be business as usual" with the current US administration.

On social media, former SDLP leader and MP Colum Eastwood questioned why the party did not boycott last year's event.

"We used last year to push for a permanent ceasefire," Conor Murphy told the BBC.

"The American administration at that time was in the space of advocating for a viable two-state solution... that has changed.

"Colum Eastwood, I think, needs to look at his own position, on the one hand he boycotts the White House, on the other he sits on the government benches in London."

PA Media Micheál Martin standing on the street speaking into microphones. One of the microphones has the "NewsTalk" logo on it, another that of Virgin Media News. He is wearing a navy suit and red tie. In the background there are people walking past.PA Media
Micheál Martin accused Sinn Féin of "engaging in politics"

Eight Irish ministers are travelling to the US next month including Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Micheál Martin.

On Friday, O'Neill said it was "the right thing" for Martin to still attend the US celebrations, noting the "unique" opportunity for "one-on-one time" with the US President.

She said that the taoiseach should "never miss" the chance to express the "depth of feeling" of the Irish people.

Following Friday's announcement, the taoiseach said Sinn Féin were "engaging in politics" and said he has a "responsibility to the country" to attend the celebrations.

Earlier, Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said she had followed the president's comments on Gaza with "growing concern".

She said her decision not to attend events this year is a "principled stance" against "the call for a mass expulsion of the Palestinian people from Gaza".

At a press conference, McDonald acknowledged the US as a "valued friend" of Ireland, citing strong peace ties and its role in the Irish economy.

However, she criticised the current US administration as "catastrophically wrong" on Palestine, and called for a permanent ceasefire and a negotiated two-state solution "which guarantees peace and security for both Palestinians and Israelis".

Why do politicians travel to Washington?

Getty Images A man with blonde hair in a black suit with shirt shirt and gold tie being handed a glass bowl of green shamrocks by a man with short brown hair in a navy suit white shirt and green tie. They are stood in front of several USA flags - white and red stripes with blue and white stars.Getty Images
In 2019, then-Taoiseach Leo Varadkar presented US President Donald Trump with a bowl of shamrocks at the White House

Traditionally politicians from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland take part in engagements in the US around St Patrick's Day.

This usually culminates in the taoiseach (Irish prime minister) presenting a bowl of shamrock to the US president in the Oval Office.

The plant first made its way into the White House in 1952 with the Irish Ambassador to the US John Hearne delivering a box for President Harry Truman.

The tradition has continued in one form or another ever since, giving the Republic of Ireland enviable access to the US president every March.

Last year, O'Neill and Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly made the first joint St Patrick's Day visit by Executive Office ministers since 2016.