Taoiseach Micheál Martin has condemned what he described as the "shocking" apparent assassination attempt on US President Donald Trump last night.
Speaking in Cork, Mr Martin, said "it was very serious and very shocking to watch the scenes.
"There can be absolutely no place for violence in politics and our thoughts are with the police officer, the agent who was injured, and indeed with all those impacted by such an event."
Mr Martin said there was growing evidence of an increase in political violence across the world and he said "we have to be very clear in our condemnation of that."
He said thankfully the President and those at the event were not harmed on this occasion.
Mr Martin said "we've all been warned about the lone wolf attack ... I do think we always need to be conscious of our language in public life and demonising others."
He said there was no excuse for political violence - "there's no excuse for the use of the gun in politics and we have seen far too great a frequency and occurrences of political violence across the world and in the United States as well.
"We have to be extremely conscious and vigilant about the proliferation of gun culture as well but it's quite shocking to see events of this kind unfold."
Mr Martin said President Trump had been subjected to a number of attempted assassinations and he said this was "reprehensible and outrageous and shocking that this should be occurring."
Political violence has no place in democracy, says Harris
Earlier Tánaiste Simon Harris said that political violence has no place in a democracy following a shooting at an event in Washington DC that US President Donald Trump was attending.
In a post on X, Mr Harris said his thoughts are with President Trump, the First Lady Melania Trump, Vice-President JD Vance and all those affected by last night's events.
"I am relieved that no one was hurt", he said.
Political violence has no place in a democracy.
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) April 26, 2026
My thoughts are with President Trump, the First Lady, and Vice President Vance and all those affected by last night's events. I am relieved that no one was hurt.
A suspect has been arrested in connection with the shooting.
Meanwhile, France's President Emmanuel Macron said that the incident was "unacceptable".
"The armed attack targeting the president of the United States last night is unacceptable. Violence has no place in a democracy," he said on X.
"I extend my full support to Donald Trump."
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was "shocked" by the shooting, adding it was "a huge relief" that President Donald Trump and others were unharmed.
"Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms," Mr Starmer said on X.
Mr Starmer sent a message to Mr Trump "in solidarity for the events that took place", senior minister Darren Jones told UK broadcasters during a round of interviews.
I am shocked by the scenes at the White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington overnight.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) April 26, 2026
Any attack on democratic institutions or on the freedom of the press must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
It is a huge relief that @POTUS, the First Lady and all those…
The shooting at the annual dinner of the White House Correspondents' Association came less than 48 hours before Britain's King Charles arrives in the US for a state visit.
Mr Jones said security teams in Britain and the US were "working closely to ensure the security arrangements are put appropriately in place".
Britain's King Charles was "greatly relieved" President Trump, his wife and other guests were "unharmed", Buckingham Palace said today.
The incident came less than 48 hours before Charles and Queen Camilla begin a four-day state visit to the United States, which will include a state dinner on Tuesday.
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