Massive security cordon to keep foot and mouth at bay

A massive security cordon is being placed on sea and airports and along the 300-mile border with Northern Ireland in a determined bid by Government authorities to prevent animals infected with foot and mouth disease from entering the country.

Hundreds of gardaí, initially from northern areas, have been deployed to operate checkpoints and enforce the Government ban on the import of live animals, meat and dairy products from the North and Britain.