Newstalk reporter Henry McKean got more than he bargained for while covering US President Joe Biden's visit to Áras an Uachtaráin.
Henry was outside the Áras to cover President Biden's meeting with President Michael D Higgins.
President Biden stopped to speak to the waiting media, after which Henry asked him for a selfie.
After the photo was taken, President Biden joked: "By the way this could ruin your reputation".
If at first you don’t succeed… @HenryMcKean pic.twitter.com/NNKqzuuobY
— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) April 13, 2023
Henry told Moncrieff how it came about.
"He sort of started walking towards us and... then I thought, 'He's just there, I really want a selfie," he said.
"I know I perhaps should have been a bit more professional and I broke protocol, but I wanted a selfie - and he said OK".
The selfie 🤳 with Joe Biden. @NewstalkFM @SeanMoncrieff #JoeBiden pic.twitter.com/ZRfhiNev7K
— Henry McKean (@HenryMcKean) April 13, 2023
Henry said he had to use someone else's phone.
"We just jumped into the selfie; my phone actually is on the blink because of yesterday's rain," he said.
"So I borrowed a phone from Amanda Ferguson from The Washington Post... The President actually took the selfie.
"So her phone is now presidential".
Henry McKean with his selfie with US President Joe Biden. Picture by: Photo: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ieHenry said he was more nervous than he realised.
"I actually was a little bit nervous - I haven't been that nervous since I met Steven Spielberg," he said.
"I rarely get nervous around people; I think it's a sign of respect, I do respect the man.
"He came across as a very handsome 80-year-old man, I think I have a bit of a man crush on him".
US President Joe Biden with President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina at Áras an Uachtaráin. Picture by: JULIEN BEHAL PHOTOGRAPHY/POOL/VIA ROLLINGNEWS.IEEarlier, President Biden planted a tree with President Higgins and rung the Peace Bell.
He then held talks with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at nearby Farmleigh.
"It feels so good to be able to have this emerging and stronger and stronger relationship between the United States and Ireland," Mr Biden said.
"I think our values are the same and I think our concerns are the same.
"So I'm really looking forward to continue to work with you".
From here President Biden will address a Joint Sitting of the Houses of the Oireachtas, before later attending a State dinner at Dublin Castle.
