Bush security operation State’s largest ever

EVEN the manhole covers on the roads around Shannon Airport are deemed a security risk ahead of the visit by US President George W Bush to Dromoland Castle for the EU-US summit this weekend.

Each will be welded shut as part of the measures to protect Mr Bush during his 18-hour visit.

The security operation, which has already involved gardaí taking door-to-door census information from nearly 3,000 homes in the area, is the largest ever by the country’s security forces to protect a visiting head of state.