Gardaí on standby as festivities commence

GARDAÍ throughout the country are on standby this weekend ahead of St Patrick’s Day celebrations with a surge in tourists expected in most city areas.

In a bid to prevent the type of scene that flared up last year in Finglas, a community policing plan has also been put in place for areas outside the city.

In Dublin up to 400 gardaí at any one time, including plain clothes as well as in uniform, will be patrolling the streets.