Heavy handed: Concern at excessive security for President Bush’s visit

THE Opposition last night joined leading lawyers and clergy in criticising the excessive security plans for President Bush’s visit to Ireland later this week.

Labour’s Joe Costello claimed the security operation, the biggest-ever in the history of the State, was over-the-top and smacked of being heavy-handed.

The party’s justice spokesman appealed to gardaí to ensure the public was not subjected to unreasonable inconvenience.

Deputy Costello claimed there was strong evidence of security plans being severe.

“The Irish public needs to be reassured the gardaí will retain control of the security operation at all times.”

An estimated 700 US secret service personnel are being backed up by more than 3,800 gardaí and 2,000 members of the Irish defence forces during the 18-hour visit by President Bush.

The movements of people in the greater Shannon area, who have not obtained gardaí-approved permits, will be restricted.

Anti-war activists, the Stop Bush Campaign, are scheduled to meet gardaí to reveal plans of their protests at Dromoland Castle and Shannon Airport.

Huge security involve the sealing of manhole covers in the Shannon area, the erection of high perimeter fencing around the airport along with the deployment of the Garda Emergency Response Unit and the Army’s Ranger Wing.

Parts of the N18, the main thoroughfare between Limerick and Galway will be closed to traffic at Clonmoney, Shannon, Skehanagh and Clarecastle for 12 hours from mid-afternoon on Friday.

Aer Rianta yesterday said the airport will remain fully operational but advised departing passengers to arrive four hours before take-off due to the risk of delays.

Some of Ireland’s top lawyers said the re-election of Mr Bush would be a disaster for the United States and the international community.

“Mr Bush is a serious threat to the economic and security interests of the US, Ireland and the world,” said junior counsel Giollaiosa O’Lideadha said. “The issue is George Bush’s re-election. He is coming here to use Ireland as a photo opportunity for his re-election.”

The Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, Robert McCarthy called for a peaceful protest. He said Bush should not be made welcome while prisoners were being tortured in Iraq.