Low turnout for protest against royals

THE first major protest against the visit of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II passed without incident yesterday as the biggest security operation in the history of the state intensified in advance of the royal arrival tomorrow.

Commuters at locations to be visited by the British monarch in Dublin, Cork, Kildare and Tipperary can expect a series of traffic and parking restrictions this week.

Parnell Square East in Dublin was closed off to vehicles and pedestrians yesterday as a security ring was put up around the Garden of Remembrance. The queen will visit the site tomorrow to lay a wreath in honour of all those who died fighting for Irish freedom.