Co Kildare TD boycotts 4th of July festivities because children are still not reunited with parents after being separated at the US border

A Co Kildare TD described celebrating a  4th of July garden party at the Phoenix Park, last night, as 'offensive' with thousands of children still not returned to their parents.

Social Democrats TD Catherine Murphy boycotted last night's invitation to the celebrations at the embassy in Ballsbridge, hosted by the Deputy Chief of the US mission.

Although Trump signed an executive order ending the practice of separating children from their parents at the US Border, it is unclear when these children will be reunited with their parents.

Trump says he has directed his agencies to reunite migrant families but it's unclear how long that process will take.

It is reported that some of the children are being detained close to where they were detained at the border, others however have been sent as far north as New York.

Deputy Murphy said: "Some of these are very young children who can't identify their parents. It is outrageous."