Bush to land at Shannon on way home from Pakistan

Another massive security operation is being mounted at Shannon Airport today ahead of a brief refuelling stop by US President George W Bush in the early hours of tomorrow morning.

More than 500 gardaí and Defence Forces personnel will be involved in the security operation.

Mr Bush's Air Force One is due to land at the Co Clare airport for a short time while it brings the US President home from an official visit to India, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The aircraft also made a refuelling stop in Shannon earlier this week while en route to Afghanistan.

Mr Bush briefly left the plane to speak to US soldiers who were also passing through the airport at the time.

Security for the stopover cost an estimated €300,000.