The €20 million cost of Donald Trump’s trip to play golf in County Clare means it will probably be the 'highest cost for any sporting event in Irish history', the General Secretary of the Irish Trades Union Congress has said. 

The President of the United States is due to undertake a visit to Ireland next month, in which he will likely turn the sod on the site of a new US Embassy, meet with An Taoiseach and play golf at his hotel in Doonbeg. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, Owen Reidy, General Secretary of the Irish Trades Union Congress, described the visit as “tragic”. 

“It’s very unfortunate that he happens to have space in his diary to come across,” he said. 

“I don't think there'll be any welcome for Donald Trump - obviously, he is the elected president of the United States.

“I'm not too sure about mass protests, because I think there's going to be such a security operation that anyone protesting will probably be kilometers away from this guy.

“But there certainly will be protests.”

President Donald J. Trump waves farewell to Doonbeg in 2019. Picture by: Storms Media Group/Alamy Live News

As is the case for all visiting heads of state and government, Irish taxpayers are liable for security costs incurred during their trip. 

Given his status as US President, Mr Trump is a particular security risk and 4,000 Gardaí are expected to be drafted in to ensure his safety. 

The overall cost of the operation is estimated at around €20 million and Mr Reidy believes it is a sum that ‘could certainly be used in another way’. 

“There's a whole issue of sovereignty,” he said. 

“I mean, are they going to literally take over the space that this guy's around? 

“It's going to be the highest cost for security for any sporting event in our history. 

“But on a serious note, I mean, he has been the subject of a couple of assassination attempts.

“The risk is high and they have to mitigate the risk - I'm sure no one in the Irish Government would want an incident involving the president of the United States while he's here.”

Micheál Martin watches as President Donald Trump gestures during an event in the East Room of the White House in Washington. Picture by: AP Photo/Alex Brandon. 

While in Ireland, Mr Reidy urged any politician who meets Mr Trump to challenge him robustly on his policies. 

“I think he's a stain on democracy,” he said. 

“I think European leaders need to call this big narcissistic baby out for what he is. 

“10 years ago, if this was a piece of fiction, you'd be wondering how real it is.”