McDowell: Security for Bush visit not excessive

Justice Minister Michael McDowell has claimed that the security operation for US President George W Bush’s visit to Ireland this weekend is not excessive.

More than 5,000 gardaí and soldiers are on duty for the visit, while vast swathes of Co Clare have been sealed off and protestors have been refused permission to march from Dromoland Castle to Shannon Airport.

Local residents have been asked to apply for passes to allow them to move around the area during the visit.

Despite this, Mr McDowell insisted today that there was nothing unusual about the security measures, which he described as “perfectly conventional”.