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GARDAÍ HAVE CLASSIFIED more than 40 events during Ireland’s presidency of the EU as needing major security operations – with six of those requiring the highest possible level of military and police coverage, The Journal has learned.
Ireland takes over the presidency of the Council of the European Union in July. Planning is at an advanced stage for the Irish Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána to cover all the high-profile events with world leaders to be held in Ireland during the six-month presidency.
However, one headache for organisers is that a number of high-profile sporting and social events are due to take place during the six months, putting extra pressure on military and gardaí.
The issue for the security agencies, particularly gardaí, is that it will require huge numbers of personnel. Gardaí in the past have been forced to cancel leave and divide the force into two – hundreds of members to police the event and skeleton teams left behind at their stations to maintain the policing level in garda stations.
The controversial football match between Ireland and Israel is due to be played in Dublin at the start of October, while the US ambassador to Ireland has given a clear indication that US president Donald Trump is considering a visit to the Irish Open at his golf course in Doonbeg, Co Clare in September.
It is understood that the event causing most concern for gardaí and the military is the European Political Community summit, which will see the leaders of all EU member states in attendance.
In the past major international figures have also attended the summit, meaning the total number of world leaders could be more than 50 in total. Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended this year’s event in Denmark, where a German frigate provided air defence. US president George W Bush attended a similar summit held during Ireland’s presidency in 2004.
The Journal has learned that this event is now likely to take place in Dublin in November, possibly at the Convention Centre in the city centre.
It will be one of the biggest security events to ever take place in the capital since the foundation of the State. It will see large parts of the city centre closed to traffic with leaders staying in multiple hotels.
Ireland has no military radar system to detect incoming aircraft and it is not yet known how that gap in defence will be filled.
Major security plans are under way for Dublin Airport and Baldonnel where the Irish Air Corps is based.
The leaders will fly into those locations and then be taken to the events in convoys under armed garda protection. There will be a major public order and traffic plan, and it is anticipated that not only will international police forces be asked to assist gardaí, but foreign militaries could also be working in the Irish Sea to provide protection and radar coverage.
Minister for Defence Helen McEntee told an Oireachtas committee yesterday that as yet, no formal arrangements have been made with other countries to provide military cover.
As revealed by The Journal previously, An Garda Síochána had asked the Irish Defence Forces for its new counter-drone technology to cover at least four locations during the EU presidency, but the Defence Forces said it would not be possible.
It is understood the anti-drone equipment will be based in Baldonnel. While technically it can be moved from there, it can not be done easily, and only one location can be covered at a time.
There has been a suggestion that more mobile anti-drone units may become available but as with the recent Volodymyr Zelenskyy visit to Dublin, foreign police forces will be needed to provide a counter-drone blanket over key locations.
Around 30 soldiers are currently undergoing training at the artillery school in the Curragh to work on the anti-drone technology being purchased from a French manufacturer.
They will travel in at least three groups to France for further training. The equipment has not arrived in Ireland yet.
One senior security source said the short lead-in time of five months to be ready for July is causing “significant pressure”. The troops have not yet seen the physical equipment they will be using.
A spokeswoman for An Garda Siochána, which is the lead agency for the planning of the security operation during the presidency, would not comment on specifics.
She did say that: “Since January 2024, An Garda Síochána has been preparing for the policing and security requirements of Ireland hosting the EU presidency.
“This has included meetings with senior officials in relevant agencies including the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces.
“In addition, gardaí have visited countries that recently held the presidency to learn from their experiences. Those preparations continue.”
The spokeswoman also said that the force was buying equipment and vehicles specifically for the security operation.
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