Taoiseach Simon Harris has described the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump as a "heinous" act of political violence.
Trump was shot in the ear during a campaign rally in Butler Pennsylvania on Saturday evening but is "doing well," according to his campaign.
The former president appeared to have suffered no major injuries besides the wound to his upper right ear during the attack.
Trump was almost immediately swarmed and covered up by his security agents after the shooting began and later emerged from the scrum with his fist raised and blood streaking down his face.
One person who attended the rally has been killed, while two others were critically injured, the Secret Service said.
The FBI has identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania as the shooter.
Crooks, who was shot dead by the Secret Service, opened fire from the roof of a building around 140 meters from where Trump was speaking. An AR15-style semiautomatic rifle was recovered near his body.
Reuters reports that Crooks was a registered Republican, citing state voting records.
Speaking on the Sunday Politics Show on BBC Northern Ireland, Harris condemned the incident and said he is relieved that Trump is secure and well.
"Political violence must always be condemned and always be called out, and I must say it is quite alarming the rise that we're seeing in political violence across the world. It's only weeks since my Slovakian counterpart [Robert Fico] had an attempt on his life as well," Harris said.
Harris said the fact that Trump had spoken to President Joe Biden by telephone following the shooting despite being political rivals provided a "glimmer of hope".
"It's so important that political violence is condemned and, and of course I want to send former President Trump our very best wishes and his family and all of those caught up in this horrific heinous political act last night."
Speaking on @BBCnireland this morning and asked about the assassination attempt on former US President Donald Trump. I condemn this heinous crime. Political violence must always be called out and never tolerated. See my comments below pic.twitter.com/IRkp9cUMgO
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) July 14, 2024
Harris also discussed the need to "dial the rhetoric when it comes to demonizing political opponents".
"It is so important and that we work out a way of engaging and robustly debating issues without dehumanizing people."
Biden said he is "grateful" that Trump is doing well, adding that there was "no place" for political violence in the United States.
"I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information," Biden said on Saturday night.
"Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it."
Comments