Garda management has cancelled all leave and rest days for Dublin-based officers ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s high-security visit to the capital in two weeks’ time.
Mr Zelensky is scheduled to arrive on December 2 for a two-day programme of meetings with senior Irish political leaders. His trip is being categorised as a major security event, driven by the ongoing war in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion in 2022.
More than 3,900 Garda members across the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) are expected to be on duty across various shifts throughout the visit. According to sources, the extraordinary mobilisation is intended to ensure a robust security presence while maintaining normal policing levels across the city.
Garda chiefs were informed this week that the visit is classified as an “extraordinary event”, with all Dublin-based personnel required for duty on December 2 except in exceptional circumstances. A directive outlining the operation was issued by Assistant Commissioner Cliona Richardson, who oversees policing in Dublin.
Security planning is being conducted under strict confidentiality. Officers have been told that mobile phones will be banned during operational briefings, reflecting heightened sensitivity around the visit.
The operation is expected to include:
More than 100 members of the Garda National Public Order Unit deployed over the two days
Roads Policing officers assigned to escort and motorcade duties
Armed Special Detective Unit personnel providing close protection throughout the president’s stay
Mr Zelensky is due to follow what officials described as a “packed schedule”, with visits to multiple locations across the capital before departing on December 3.
He is expected to meet Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, and President Catherine Connolly, and may also address the Dáil — an option previously discussed during planning.
One Garda source emphasised the scale of the preparations, noting: “Significant resources are being put in place for this visit given that it involves the president of a country at war with Russia. Not every garda in the DMR will be tasked with policing that event; the day-to-day policing service to the community won’t be impacted by this and will continue.”
The invitation to the Ukrainian leader was extended formally by the Taoiseach more than two months ago. Mr Martin spoke with Mr Zelensky on September 1, reaffirming Ireland’s support for Ukraine and its commitment to a just and lasting peace.
The upcoming visit follows a brief meeting between the two leaders at Shannon Airport in February during Mr Zelensky’s stopover en route to the United States. He previously addressed the Dáil by video link in April 2022 — the first wartime leader to do so.
