The English are coming — and gardaí are ready

GARDAÍ will maintain a strong visible presence in Dublin today as part of a large security operation for this evening’s historic Six Nations rugby match between Ireland and England at Croke Park.

Members of the force’s Public Order Unit and officers attached to the Emergency Response Unit are being placed on stand-by in case of any violence.

The beefed-up security follows reports that some disaffected fans may attempt to stir up trouble over the singing of the British national anthem, God Save The Queen, and the flying of the Union Jack in Croke Park.

It is the first time that a British team will play at GAA headquarters since Bloody Sunday on November 21, 1920, when 14 people were killed there by the British armed forces in retaliation at IRA assassinations earlier that day.

The British Foreign Office has warned English rugby fans travelling to the match to arrive in good time at Croke Park because of planned protests.

A number of websites have contained messages posted in the past week which suggest some fans aim to disrupt proceedings, although the garda authorities have largely played down the threat of trouble.

However, the large number of gardaí on duty is designed to prevent any repeat of the violence which erupted in Dublin city centre during the Love Ulster march last year.

Republic Sinn Féin, which organised a demonstration against that event, have plans to stage another protest today in the vicinity of Croke Park at the junction of Summerhill and the North Circular Road at 3.30pm.

RSF vice president, Des Dalton, said the party was opposed to England playing in the ground as evidence of continued efforts to normalise the British occupation of Ireland.

Mr Dalton yesterday called on GAA president Nickey Brennan to meet with party representatives in advance of the match to accept a letter of protest.

“British occupation will never be normal or acceptable and such events will always be opposed by Irish republicans,” said Mr Dalton. The party said the demonstration was designed to be a peaceful picket.

The IRFU and gardaí have advised match-goers to travel to the stadium as early as possible with gates opening at 3.30pm with kick-off at 5.30pm.

People using the M50 and M1 motorways to travel to the game are also being advised to leave adequate time for their journey as some delays on these routes can be expected.

Fans travelling by car can leave their vehicles in a supervised car park at Clonliffe College. However, gardaí have warned motorists using the facility that traffic will not be allowed to exit the car park for approximately 45 minutes after the game to allow pedestrians to leave the area in safety. Gardaí have also warned motorists that illegally parked cars will be clamped or possibly moved.

Several items will be banned from Croke Park stadium, including air horns, bottled alcohol, certain flagpoles and any object which could be used to cause injury or inconvenience to other supporters.