CNN reporter Donie O’Sullivan of Cahersiveen trends on Irish Twitter during Capitol Hill insurrection

As the US witnessed one of its darkest days for democracy in living memory, following the storming of the Capitol building in Washington D.C. yesterday, one CNN reporter sparked a major reaction on Twitter: Donie O'Sullivan of Cahersiveen, Co. Kerry

The word 'Donie' was among the top trending topics on Irish Twitter – with people praising his calm and insightful reporting live from the ground amid the chaos on Capitol Hill. O'Sullivan, who studied History, International Relations and Political Science at UCD, followed by a Masters degree in Political Science and Government at Queens University in Belfast, was recruited by CNN after working for Storyful.

CNN's chief national correspondent John King, who has Irish ancestry, was among those to describe Donie as "awesome" last night:

#sad ☘️ but @donie is awesome. https://t.co/7hO5LbmjFt

— John King (@JohnKingCNN) January 6, 2021

Take a look at some more of the reactions to Donie below:

All the other CNN correspondents can’t believe this stuff and are freaking out but Donie O’Sullivan is strolling around like he’s seen far worse coming out of a Carlow nightclub #donie

— Declan Lawn (@DecLawn) January 6, 2021

Ah, well done @donie. Be careful out there.

— Dara Ó Briain (@daraobriain) January 6, 2021

There’s @donie now, stifling the urge to shout ‘Kerry For Sam’ to a global audience pic.twitter.com/w0XZTPfEyn

— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) January 6, 2021

CNN's Donie O'Sullivan strolling thru the rioters with the confidence of a man rared on batter burgers and black pudding knowing full well he could knock out at least 3 of them before he's overpowered

— Minister for Spuds at the Dept of Bacon & Cabbage (@FCTwenteBenson) January 6, 2021

Have to say, @donie might well just be the new Fungi.

— Colm Tobin (@colmtobin) January 6, 2021

Someone ferry @donie out a sup of stout and replenish him.

Absolute motor on him. Brilliant stuff

— Richard Chambers (@newschambers) January 6, 2021

Everybody watching CNN in Ireland when @donie pops up live. pic.twitter.com/sKxRLP7gkR

— Conor Wilson (@ConorWilson) January 6, 2021

Well, everyone seems to know my big brother now. 😂 So proud of you Donie. 🇮🇪 Up Kerry! pic.twitter.com/VQArYk7tdY

— Sinéad O’Sullivan (@SineadOS4) January 6, 2021

Overwhelmed by all the love from Ireland tonight. ☘️ ❤️ https://t.co/rKCksNFxkk

— Donie O'Sullivan (@donie) January 7, 2021

At least four people are reportedly dead, after supporters of Donald Trump breached the US Capitol yesterday. The mob broke into the building and occupied offices, following demonstrations in Washington protesting the outcome of the presidential election.

Trump addressed his supporters through a video he shared to Twitter – telling protesters "I love you", before telling them to go home. He has since been suspended from both Twitter and Facebook – with Twitter noting that his tweets were "severe violations of our Civic Integrity policy."