President Catherine Connolly says "normalisation of war can never be accepted" in first St Patrick's Day Message

In her inaugural St Patrick's Day address, President Catherine Connolly warned against the "normalisation of war." This message comes just before Taoiseach Micheál Martin's scheduled meeting with Donald Trump in the Oval Office.

This follows her recent criticism of the "deliberate assaults on international law" in the Middle East a week ago, where she insisted that the UN charter "cannot be ignored."

The President emphasised that "normalisation of war can never be accepted," noting that Ireland's commitment to peace has remained unbroken since 1958.

“Whether we are Irish by birth or indeed by choice, today is an occasion when Irish communities around the world celebrate their shared love of all things Irish – our culture, heritage, identity, and of course our beautiful language, Gaeilge,” she said. “We stand in solidarity with those who find themselves in vulnerable and dangerous circumstances. Patrick’s story invites us to respond with hospitality and kindness to those suffering the consequences of war and displacement, those fleeing their countries because of persecution or violence. The normalisation of war can never be accepted. Now, more than ever, we must renew our commitment to peace and diplomacy in line with the principles of international law as set out in the United Nations Charter.”

“As a neutral, independent country, a post-colonial society, and a people marked by famine and forced migration, we are uniquely placed to offer a valuable perspective on the challenges facing our world, not least war and displacement,” she continued. “We are a people who have travelled our own path to peace in dealing with bitter conflict and its legacy. We understand that peace is not merely the absence of war but also the presence of justice."

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