Garda bill for Bush visit and May Day hits €12m

OPPOSITION politicians are to grill Justice Minister Michael McDowell in the Dáil next week after it emerged €12 million was spent on gardaí security for the May Day weekend and President George W Bush’s 18-hour visit to Clare.

Figures released under parliamentary questions show an estimated €5m was spent on overtime, travel and subsistence for the 3,800 gardaí deployed for Mr Bush’s visit.

This is on top of more than €7 million spent on overtime, expenses and equipment during the May Day weekend.