Ireland’s suicidal Trump Derangement Syndrome

Ireland has a problem with America. Irish politicians and the country’s establishment would, of course, deny this. They would point to the fact that 35 million Americans claim Irish descent, and that the Irish and American governments enjoy their own version of a ‘special relationship’, involving an annual presentation of a shamrock at the White House every St Patrick’s day. They would highlight the close cultural and economic ties between the two countries, particularly in the tech sector, which has seen 18 of the largest American tech giants, from Apple to Microsoft, make Ireland their European home, which has been a lifeline to the Irish economy.

Ultimately, the UK may be our nearest neighbour, but for many America will always be our dearest. So, you might think Irish leaders would be keen to keep the Yanks onside. Instead, they seem determined to alienate them.

The reason for such self-defeating truculence can be blamed on numerous factors, but chief among them is the excessive Trump Derangement Syndrome of Irish politicians.