Security may be stepped up for Obama’s visit

THE US Secret Service will largely decide whether security for President Obama’s visit to Ireland needs to be stepped up following the killing of Osama bin Laden.

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar said while security for the visits of both Queen Elizabeth from May 17 to 20 and Mr Obama on May 23 was already very tight, “arrangements are always under review”.

In relation to Mr Obama’s visit, Mr Varadkar said: “Largely the security efforts are being co-ordinated by the Secret Service, and the US Secret Service has been protecting American chief executives now for the best part of a century, so really they’re the ones who are taking the lead on this and they’re the ones who are giving us the necessary advice as to what arrangements need to be put in place.”