Hundreds of Gardaí to Secure College of Commissioners Meeting in Cork This Week as EU Presidency Operation Ramps Up

An Garda Síochána has confirmed that hundreds of gardaí and military personnel, supported by a French naval frigate, will secure a meeting of the European Commission's College of Commissioners in Cork on Thursday and Friday, as part of what gardaí describe as the biggest policing and security operation in the history of the State.

An Garda Síochána said:

"The EU Presidency will be the biggest policing and security operation in the history of the State. We will provide a professional policing and security service and extensive policing plans will be in place for each event to minimise disruption. As well as managing policing and security operations around the EU Presidency, we will maintain day-to-day policing."

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly, speaking at a press conference today, said foreign police and security forces have already arrived in Ireland to assist gardaí in securing events in both Dublin and Cork. He said much of this work, including counter-drone monitoring, would not be visible to the public, as it falls within specialist areas. The Commissioner confirmed that all public-facing frontline policing during the events will be carried out by gardaí.

Preparations have been underway for two and a half years, gardaí said, including the establishment of a dedicated EU Presidency Co-ordination Office. The Garda fleet has been expanded with 78 new cars and 75 motorcycles for escort duties, along with a new fixed-wing aircraft. A heavily armoured tactical truck is now in use with specialist firearm Garda units, and new body armour has been issued to public order gardaí.

Two further EU Presidency events are scheduled for Cork in July: a three-day meeting of the working party on transport beginning on 22 July, and a two-day agri-fishing conference starting on 28 July, according to the Irish Examiner.

Significant investment has also gone into drone and anti-drone technology, with gardaí trained by experts both in Ireland and abroad. Specialist training carried out includes close protection, frontline policing, strategic and tactical operational commander, water cannon use, motorcycle escort and public order policing. Gardaí have worked with local authorities to put hostile vehicle mitigation measures in place at event locations.

Given the VIPs visiting the country, gardaí said there would be some disruption depending on the location and nature of individual events. Any disruption will be communicated in advance via press releases, social media and Garda.ie.

Further information is available at www.garda.ie.