Bush visit cost NI €376k in policing

US President George Bush’s one-day trip to the North cost British taxpayers more than £300,000 (€376,000) in policing costs, it emerged tonight.

On his flying visit last month, Mr Bush held talks at Stormont with First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, praising their efforts in the peace process.

Mr Bush also visited a school on the outskirts of Belfast, where he took part in a basketball game with Protestant and Catholic children who have been brought together by a US-sponsored community project.

Around 200 to 250 protesters turned up in the centre of Belfast to demonstrate against Mr Bush’s visit.

Police had to close roads around Belfast City Hall for an hour until the protesters dispersed.

The £306,000 (€384,000)cost of the security operation was disclosed by Northern Ireland Minister Paul Goggins in a British parliamentary written answer to the UUP’s Lady Sylvia Hermon (North Down).