Gardaí are expecting protests ahead of the Queen's historic visit to Croke Park this afternoon.

A “SUFFOCATING” security operation in Dublin city centre for the visit of the British monarch has disabled potential flashpoints with republicans.

Six Eirigi protesters including Dublin city councillor Louise Minihan locked themselves inside the headquarters of Anglo Irish Bank in Dublin this morning.

A tense armed forces homecoming parade passed off without incident in Belfast today where police mounted a huge security operation to keep apart thousands of loyalist supporters and republican protestors.