*Photograph: Joe Buckley
SECURITY measures are ramping up across Co Clare ahead of the imminent arrival of US President, Donald Trump to his Doonbeg resort.
In what is the biggest security operation in the country this year, the presence of Gardaí in Clare has amplified significantly ahead of the arrival of the US President. It has been labelled one of the “most complex” security operations to ever occur in Ireland with Gardaí scouring ditches in Doonbeg.
About 4,000 Irish and US security personnel, including from the Garda, Defence Forces and US Secret Service, are expected to be deployed, mainly in Clare and Dublin. This includes about 1,000 US personnel and 3,000 Irish, mainly from the Garda.
President Trump is expected to land in Shannon Airport on Saturday, his visit will be concentrated in Co Clare as he attends the Amgen Irish Open at Trump International Golf Links & Hotel, Doonbeg, Ireland, the resort his family acquired in 2014.
Marine one is expected to land in Doonbeg on Saturday afternoon which is anticipated to pause play in The Irish Open. President Trump will stay in the main building of the hotel.
Restrictions on traffic and movements across West Clare, particularly in Doonbeg and surrounding areas are to be expected.
Normal operations are to continue at Shannon Airport. Additional security checks and Garda presence will be deployed within the environs of Shannon Airport. No on-street parking is allowed anywhere within the Shannon Airport environs except in designated areas.
Passengers travelling to the airport are advised to allow extra travel time for the duration of the President’s visit, as additional security measures will be in place on the approach road to the airport and car parks over from Friday to Sunday. All visitors to the airport during the period are advised to have photo ID, and intending passengers should have photo ID and valid flight documentation available.
An Garda Síochána is engaging with a number of protest groups who have indicated that they may gather over the duration of this visit. Peaceful protest will be facilitated and every effort will be made to minimise disruption to the local community and patrons of Shannon Airport and Shannon Town.
Other potential protest activity being promoted online has not engaged with An Garda Síochána, a spokesperson confirmed.
Gardaí expected a protest will take place at the entrance to Shannon Airport.
Shannon Town will not be impacted by the policing and security operation, subject to any protest activity which might expand into the environs of Shannon Town.
Access to the environs of Doonbeg village, Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Doonbeg and the wider West Clare environs will be restricted.
Access and traffic along the N67, between Clonadrum Cross (north) and Doonbeg (south) will be restricted from Friday until Sunday evening.
Southbound traffic is diverted along the R483 to Creagh and Cooraclare and into Kilrush. Northbound traffic from Kilrush is diverted On the R483 to Cooraclare, Creagh, Quilty and Miltown Malbay. Gardaí will be patrolling these diversion routes and it is intended that free flow of traffic will be maintained.
Local residents will have access inside the N67 diversion route maintained. Local residents have been issued with passes and are further advised to carry photo identifications and proof of address to assist with security checks where required.
An Garda Síochána is engaging with a number of protest groups who have indicated that they may gather over the duration of this visit. Peaceful protest will be facilitated and every effort will be made to minimise disruption to the local community. Other potential protest activity being promoted online has not engaged with An Garda Síochána. A designated protest location has been identified at Doonbeg village.
Temporary rolling road closures can be expected to facilitate security escorts over the course of Friday, Saturday and Sunday on routes between Shannon and Doonbeg including the M18, N18, N19, N85, N68, N67 also through Ennis and the environs of Limerick City
Only persons working at or attending the Amgen Irish Open will be allowed to access the Trump International Golf Links and Hotel. Persons working at the event, volunteers, media attending the Amgen Irish Open must follow specific advises provided for their role and use the appropriate assigned parking.
Spectators attending the Amgen Irish Open should follow the extensive information and advice provided by the DP World Tour to ensure they have the best experience in attending the event.
All spectators attending the Amgen Irish Open must use one of the two Park n Ride facilitates in order to access the event. Spectators will have been asked to select a Park n Ride site when booking tickets and must follow directions to that selected Park n Ride. Access to the event is via bus transfers from the Park n Ride sites only. There is no general parking available at or in the vicinity of the golf course. There is no pedestrian access to the Amgen Irish Open.
Every person accessing the Amgen Irish Open, for whatever purpose, will be subject to security checks on arrival. For safety and security enhanced person and bag searches will be in operation on entry. This will be airport style security searches and scanning. Small bags and small backpacks/ rucksacks, or similar, will be allowed onsite. All persons attending the Amgen Irish Open on Saturday and Sunday should allow further additional time to arrive and progress through ticket checks and search zones.
Restrictions on the use of drones will also be implemented. UAS Geographical Zones and/ or TRA (Temporary Restricted Airspace) flight restriction notifications will be in place at venues during this visit. The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) issues these restrictions, some of which can be issued at short notice for operational reasons. UAS (drone) pilots should check the IAA website for restrictions on flying drones in UAS Geographical Zones and TRAs immediately before operating a UAS.
UAS detection systems will be in place to identify the location of drones that are flying in restricted areas as well as the drone pilot. Breaches of TRAs and Geographical Zones are subject to investigation by An Garda Síochána and the IAA.
A temporary maritime exclusion zone and associated outer control area will be in operation in the waters off Co. Wicklow. This marine notice is issued solely to advise mariners of navigational restrictions arising from that temporary maritime exclusion zone and associated outer control area. Marine notices are issued for maritime safety and navigation reasons.
