No security fears for Queen

THE British Ambassador to Ireland said he has “complete confidence” in the security arrangements being put in place for the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland later this month.

In a reference to the killing of Osama bin Laden, His Excellency, Julian King, said: “Nothing that has happened in recent days has affected that confidence.”

Mr King was speaking in Cork last night after meeting Lord Mayor Michael O’Connell and senior city officials to discuss the city’s preparations for the visit.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will visit Ireland from May 17 to 20, taking in Dublin, the National Stud, Cashel and Cork. The royal couple will visit Leeside on the last leg of their visit.

Mr King said he was anxious that the state visit was not just a Dublin visit.

“From the outset of the planning for this visit some time ago, we have worked very, very closely together, the British and Irish authorities,” Mr King said.

“We have complete confidence in the arrangements, the Garda in particular are putting in place around the whole visit.

He described the security arrangements as “robust” but said it is a “personal regret” of his that the Queen won’t be able to perform as many public walkabouts as she would like.

The Queen will visit the city’s English Market and the Tyndall institute.