What commuters need to know ahead of the major EU meetings in Dublin this week
An Garda Síochána put in road closures around the Convention Centre in Dublin ahead of the upcoming meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) on Thursday. Picture (November 10): Niall Carson/Press Association
Traffic restrictions and road closures around Dublin are set to increase significantly today, with the capital gearing up to host the largest heads of state and government gathering in the country's history.
Around 50 European leaders and heads of European and international organisations are expected to attend the events taking place tomorrow and Friday.
Gardaí have said the policing and security operation for these meetings on November 12 and 13 will be the largest undertaken by An Garda Síochána in the history of the State.
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A security cordon is now in place around Dublin's Convention Centre including barriers and no-parking restrictions.
A wider security cordon and extended traffic management cordon will be established around the Convention Centre from 8pm today until Friday evening.
Samuel Beckett Bridge will be closed to traffic from 8pm, with north/south traffic across Samuel Beckett Bridge being diverted from approach roads.
Traffic movements will also be restricted within an area bounded by Amiens Street, Seville Place/ Sheriff Street Upper, East Wall Road, and North Wall Quay.
Access to residents and businesses will remain open, with security checks.
Gardaí say engagement has taken place with residents and businesses directly affected by the security cordon.
Additionally, North Wall Quay between Guild Street and New Wapping Street remains closed to traffic and pedestrians until Friday evening, with east-west traffic being diverted from approach roads.
A security cordon has now been established around the National Gallery of Ireland, including barriers and no-parking restrictions.
Gardaí have also advised that traffic and parking restrictions may be implemented in the vicinity of hotels associated with these events in the north and south city centre from this morning.
Heads of state or government will begin arriving at Dublin Airport today, with most arriving between 1pm and 11pm.
Normal operations will continue at Dublin Airport.
Departures and arrivals roads at T1 and T2 are unaffected.
However, anyone travelling has been advised to allow additional time to arrive at the airport during the peak impact times.
Traffic restrictions will be in place at Dunbro between R108 and R122.
Additional garda patrols will be in place along perimeter roads of Dublin Airport including the Naul Road, R108, R132 and Old Airport Road.
Access to the aircraft viewing stands on the R108 and Naul Road adjacent to Dublin Airport will be restricted.
Heads of state or government will begin arriving at Casement Aerodrome today, again with the majority arriving between 1-11pm.
Perimeter roads to Casement Aerodrome will be subject to additional garda patrols and traffic restrictions.
Parking or stopping on perimeter roads will be restricted.
It can be expected that temporary traffic restrictions will be implemented across the wider Dublin region to facilitate security motorcycle escorts from Dublin Airport and Casement Aerodrome to, and within, Dublin city centre, gardaí have said.
The highest impact of these restrictions will be between the 1pm and 11pm period.
The M50 motorway and Dublin Port Tunnel are not expected to be directly affected by this policing and security operation at this time.
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