Security stepped up ahead of US president Joe Biden's visit to Ireland

Fifth cousin of president Joe Biden, councillor Andrea McKevitt, from the Cooley Peninsula, Co. Louth, outside Fitzpatrick's Pub & Restaurant in Jenkinstown, Co. Louth. President Biden is expected to stop at Dundalk, Co. Louth, from where his great-grandfather emigrated in 1850. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

A major security operation has ramped up ahead of the arrival of US president Joe Biden to the island of Ireland next week.

The Emergency Response Unit (ERU) and the Special Detective Unit (SDU) will be tasked with liaising with US officials during the visit with over 1,000 personnel from the Secret Service, an Garda Siochana and the Defence Forces scheduled to protect Mr Biden.