'No intelligence' suggesting extremist threat to St Patrick's weekend

Garda HQ has said that a policing plan was also in place over the long weekend in Cork, with Chief Superintendent Tom Myers reminding people that 'drinking alcohol in public is illegal and won’t be tolerated'

An early St Patrick's Day Parade took place in Dublin today with people from the local community taking part in the North Wall Community St Patrick's Festival parade. Photo: Gareth Chaney

Gardaí have no specific intelligence to suggest there is a threat from any extremist group – whether from jihadists, the far-right or the far-left – to the St Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin.

Gardaí are continuing to monitor online traffic and the activities of a small number of individuals over the weekend. It comes as Garda HQ announced that an extensive policing operation is in place across the city centre between Friday and Tuesday.