Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Dublin Live
Dublin Live
National
Ciara Phelan

Watch: Dramatic moment Taoiseach Micheal Martin's positive Covid-19 result confirmed in Washington

Taoiseach Micheál Martin tested positive for Covid-19 on Wednesday and will not attend the White House for an in-person meeting with US President Joe Biden.

It emerged Mr Martin was positive late on Wednesday night during a gala event.

The event was for Ireland Funds gala and up 800 people were in attendance.

Read more: Irish public hit back at Sky News' Kay Burley with hilarious internet edit after British blunder

Mr Martin was due to accept an international leadership award but was whisked away shortly after US President Joe Biden welcomed him to the event which took place at the National Building Museum.

The full Irish delegation and media were required to have a Covid-19 test on Wednesday before travelling to the White House.

Mr Martin tested negative on his antigen test but a positive test was picked up from a member of his delegation.

Mr Martin subsequently tested positive on a PCR test.

The news broke right before Mr Martin was due on stage to accept the award and give a speech.

Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi said: “I would invite the Taoiseach to the stage but I have been informed that the Taoiseach is on call as one of the leaders in the world.”

Read more: St Patrick's Day 2022: The best viewpoints on the Paddy's Day parade route

Read more: The other 'Emerald Isle' that has a public holiday for Paddy's Day

But then, Ireland’s Ambassador to the US, Dan Mulhall, took to the stage to accept the award on behalf of the Taoiseach and break the news to the room.

He said: “You may wonder why I’m here, well I’ll explain.

“This evening, before we left to come here, all members of the delegation were tested for Covid-19 and the test on the Taoiseach was negative.

“But because a member of the wider delegation tested positive and while that test was being checked and rechecked, out of an abundance of caution, the Taoiseach was tested just as he left to come here and sadly, that test turned out to be positive.

“So, the Taoiseach has asked me to explain this and to deliver the speech on his behalf.

“The Taoiseach is in good form, it’s a sad thing that I have to do but I have to do this.”

A spokesman for the Taoiseach said he is feeling fine, is isolating and adhering to public health guidelines.

The positive Covid-19 test for the Taoiseach means he will no longer be able to meet US President Joe Biden on St Patrick’s Day.

Preparations are underway for a virtual event instead.

Video credit: Virgin Media News

Read more: Dublin journalist Pierre Zakrzewski's brothers pay tribute to 'free spirit' on RTE Claire Byrne Show

Read more: New 'Love Ukraine' mural on Grand Canal raising funds for Red Cross

Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.