Gardaí 'prepared for any eventuality' as Donald Trump prepares to arrive in Dublin  

A Garda armed support vehicle drives through Doonbeg Village in Co Clare, ahead of the visit by US president Donald Trump. Picture: Damien Eagers/PA

As US president Donald Trump prepares to touch down in Ireland on Saturday morning, gardaí said they have had to mount “one of the biggest security and policing operations” the force has ever carried out.

“Over the course of the policing and security operation, members of An Garda Síochána will perform over 10,000 12-hour tours of duty from Friday until Sunday," the force said.

One of the biggest elements will be policing the inevitable protests that will be mounted by different factions in Dublin, where Mr Trump will travel first, and in Doonbeg.

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said there will be “no tolerance” for public disorder or attempts to impact “critical movements” of the US president.

He said peaceful protest would be facilitated as much as possible, but added: “We have robust policing plans in place and will arrest and prosecute those committing offences.

“We are well prepared for any eventuality.”

Disruptive protests from fringe extreme elements and “interference” from hostile foreign states are among the main threats security services are braced for during the visit.

The Government is now hoping for a hitch-free visit, with many stressing that, as it is a personal visit to watch the Irish Open at his Doonbeg golf course, it should pass off smoothly.

However, senior Government sources also conceded that they will be walking a political tightrope, as Mr Trump can be unpredictable.

One minister pointed out that Taoiseach Micheál Martin handled his interaction with Mr Trump in the Oval Office for St Patrick’s Day well, and was able to challenge him when required.

Important link between US and Ireland 

Tánaiste Simon Harris, who will greet Mr Trump when he steps off Air Force One at Dublin Airport Saturday morning, said while there were things the Irish Government and the US administration disagreed on, the relationship between the two countries is important.

“Our views on a whole wide range of issues, and the different views we have, are very clearly known,” he said.

“We've shown as the government an ability to articulate those views in all our interactions with the US administration. This weekend will be no different.

“We engage in a constructive fashion with the US administration. The links are real. The links are deep. The links are binding.”

Meanwhile, it has emerged that University Hospital Limerick has Mr Trump's blood type on standby and is prepared to close off several rooms and an operating theatre if anything happens to him at Doonbeg.

A helicopter flight plan has even been put in place if the hospital helipad is required. 

It is believed that crew members of Marine One, the Presidential helicopter, have carried out a virtual reconnaissance assisted by members of the Irish Air Corps.