AN 80-year-old Trump-supporting businessman is set to become the next US Ambassador to Ireland.
Cabinet is set to appoint a new US Ambassador to Ireland on Wednesday afternoon after the position has been left vacant since Obama's leave from office in January 2017.
The duties of ambassador have been filled by the US chargé d’affaires Reece Smyth in the meantime.
The last ambassador was American lawyer Kevin O'Malley.
O’Malley was nominated by President Obama in June 2014 and served until January 20, 2017, the date of Trump's inauguration.
The Cabinet is expected to today approve the appointment of Edward J Crawford as US Ambassador to Ireland ending months of speculation over who will fill the role.
Mr Crawford, a leading businessman from Ohio and a long-time donor to the Republican Party, has been seen as the frontrunner since Brian Burns, a friend of Mr Trump, pulled out of the running in the summer of 2017.
Mr Crawford’s grandparents are from Cork, and he has a strong involvement in the Irish community in Ohio.
It is understood the appointment process has been in line for some time.
Reece Smyth has been the chargé d'affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Ireland during the
Crawford is an outspoken supporter of the current US President, and stated during his campaign that Trump is“a positive leader”.
He added: "We need someone that’s going to help us make the changes necessary to put us back on track so that everyone has a chance."
He also hosted then Taoiseach Enda Kenny at an event to mark the rededication of the Irish Cultural Garden in the city of Cleveland, Ohio in 2012.
