Sean Whelan

Washington Correspondent

Marcin Pieciak did not appear in court today

Man formally indicted over killing of Sarah McNally

In New York, a man has been formally indicted by a Grand Jury over the killing of Longford woman Sarah McNally.

World • 05 Apr 24

NATO foreign ministers meet in Brussels on the 75th anniversary of the alliance

NATO turns 75 with plenty ahead to justify its existence

On the 75th anniversary of the creation of NATO, its leaders are discussing the next 75 years of the alliance and stepping up military spending to levels not seen since the Cold War.

Analysis and Comment • 04 Apr 24

Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Bill Clinton on stage at the Radio City Music Hall in New York

Race for the White House hangs in the balance

Thursday night's Democratic Party fundraiser for Joe Biden's re-election campaign was notable for three reasons: party unity, with three Presidents on one stage; the amount of money it raised; and the intrusion of Gaza protests.

Analysis and Comment • 02 Apr 24

The concrete pylons that supported the main span of the bridge jut from the water like a few broken fence posts

Effects of US bridge collapse will be felt for long time

The effects of the Baltimore bridge collapse are going to be felt for a long time to come, writes Washington Correspondent Seán Whelan.

Analysis and Comment • 27 Mar 24

The Taoiseach was responding to Mr Netanyahu's claim on that Israel had greatly expanded the delivery of food aid into Gaza

Netanyahu not telling truth about Gaza aid - Taoiseach

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyau is not telling the truth about aid deliveries to Gaza.

Ireland • 18 Mar 24

The meetings marked the centenary year of US-Irish diplomatic relations

Irish-US meetings: Different but similar messages on Gaza

Gaza was supposed to overshadow Leo Varadkar's trip to Washington. There was talk of hard conversations, of putting it up to the Americans. In the end, there was little or no conflict - instead a great deal of consensus.

Analysis and Comment • 18 Mar 24

Mr Varadkar is on a week-long visit to Washington, which will see him engage with Mr Biden at the White House

NI to be key topic of conversation with Biden - Taoiseach

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that Northern Ireland would be one of the four key topics of his conversation with US President Joe Biden tomorrow, along with Gaza, Ukraine and the economy.

US • 14 Mar 24

The scheme commemorates the contribution of former senator George Mitchell and the US government to the Good Friday Agreement (file pic)

GFA scholarship programme paused as funding reassessed

The George Mitchell Scholarship Program, which sends American post-graduate students to study in Irish universities, is suspending its selection of future classes to reassess its long-term funding situation.

US • 14 Mar 24

Biden and Trump are the two candidates that 80% of Americans don't want to see as the candidates

The US election rematch that hardly anyone wants

Super Tuesday gave us the candidates super early and it is the seemingly inevitable rematch that hardly anyone in the United States wants to see, writes Sean Whelan.

Analysis and Comment • 08 Mar 24

Mr Biden lost in the Democratic primary in Dearborn (file image)

Biden treading narrow path over his Gaza war stance

US President Joe Biden finds himself treading a very narrow path between the views of the electorate on one hand and his own convictions on what is the right thing to do for Israel after some voters in Michigan's Democratic primary chose "uncommitted" over the current president.

Analysis and Comment • 04 Mar 24