Gardaí are investigating the incident which the Trump organisation told the Irish Independent was “childish” and “criminal”.
Gardaí have launched an investigation into the incident, which happened just hours after US president Donald Trump met with Taoiseach Micheál Martin in the White House as part of the St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Washington.
In a statement released to the Irish Independent, a spokesperson for the Trump organisation described the attack as “childish”.
“This was a childish, criminal act but the incredible team at Trump Doonbeg will ensure it does not impact business.
“We have the greatest course anywhere in the world and we are so proud of the tremendous success and we look forward to a great season ahead,” the statement said.
The Irish Independent understands that three individuals who entered the property planted Palestinian flags and dug up two of the greens on the golf course.
President Donald Trump with his son Eric at Trump International in Doonbeg, Co Clare.
Picture By David Conachy.
Micheál Martin encourages visitors to Trump’s golf course in County Clare
However, Joe Russell, manager of the Doonbeg resort, said: “It’s business as usual this weekend.”
Mr Trump last visited Doonbeg in May 2023 and repeatedly praised the resort during his Oval Office meeting with Mr Martin.
The Taoiseach encouraged people to visit the “stunning” golf resort, with Mr Trump saying in response: “I love this guy.”
Mr Martin also said he had received a message from a local Fianna Fáil councillor, Rita McInerney, asking him to thank Mr Trump and his family for their work with the local community in Doonbeg.
Asked whether he would visit Doonbeg in the future, the US president said: “I hope soon.”
Towards the end of the 50-minute open meeting, Mr Martin also said to Mr Trump: “You have the distinction of being the only US president that has physically invested in Ireland through Doonbeg”, to which the president replied: “And it’s been a good investment.”
Separately, a property owned by Mr Trump was targeted in Scotland in recent days. A 33-year-old man has been arrested after police found red spray paint had been used to deface the resort’s clubhouse and the words ‘Gaza Is Not For Sale’ were painted on its lawn.
Mr Trump last visited Ireland in 2023 for a brief trip to his Trump International Golf Links and Hotel in Doonbeg, before he was elected to a second term as US president.
It was recently reported that member numbers have soared at the golf club following his re-election.
In January, general manager Joe Russell said that just as leading US business figures embrace the Trump presidency, the resort had recorded “the highest-ever number in new membership sales”.
Mr Russell said that the highest monthly tally also takes in the years before 2014, when the Trump Organisation purchased the resort.
He remarked that the joining fee – €25,000 – “seems to be a good number for people” and that new membership sales were being driven from people in the US.
“Two-thirds of our membership are international, with the vast bulk of those from the US,” the long-serving general manager said.
Asked if the election of Trump was a factor in the upsurge in new membership sales, Mr Russell said: “We have no evidence to that particular fact – that is not being said to us.”
The Trump Organisation has invested more than €40m, including the purchase price, into the resort.
Mr Russell said that some of those who have signed up from the US are already members of Trump golf courses in the US.
The 2023 accounts filed earlier this year show that operating profits at the luxury golf resort more than doubled to €2.06m in 2023, in a record year for the business.
This followed revenues rising by 12pc from €14.36m to €16.12m.
The Co Clare resort is generating record returns on the back of visitors paying lead prices for an Ocean View suite during high season in 2024, costing €2,720 per night and with green fee rates peaking at €450 per person.
Green fees are to rise this year to €525, which Mr Russell said is “testament to the ongoing demand for our hotel and golf course, the product and service levels provided at Trump Doonbeg”.
The Trump Organisation owns 15 golf courses – 11 in the US, two in Scotland, one in Ireland and one in the United Arab Emirates.
