Mr Martin was keen to emphasise the economic and emotional ties between Ireland and the US ahead of the Oval Office visit

Burke family spotted near White House

Four members of the Burke family have arrived at the White House security cordon. They are holding posters, though it is unclear what they say.

Father Sean, mother Martina and daughter Ammi, joined by one brother, flew from Dublin to Washington this week ahead of Micheál Martin’s visit to the White House.

The Evangelical Christians are known for their protests and “doorstepping” of high-profile figures.

The Burke family have become familiar faces in the media in recent years, especially for their son and teacher Enoch’s court battles. He owes around €80,000 to the State in unpaid fines for contempt of court.

The dispute can be traced back to an instruction by the then principal of Wilson’s Hospital School in Co Westmeath he worked at in May 2022 that staff were to address a transgender child by a new name and “they/them” pronouns.