It has been confirmed that a state-of-the-art drone system will be deployed for the protection of US President Donald Trump, during his visit to Ireland this weekend.
This security operation, which will cost close to €20 million, will involve almost 4,000 personnel working on logistics, operational and planning matters across Mr Trump's three day visit. Garda leave is to be paused until this security operation is finished.
Over the past week, major airlifts by the US Air Force have been carried out at both Dublin and Shannon airports, aimed to provide equipment required for this visit, including Marine One, the helicopter used by Mr Trump for journeys around Ireland, along with escort to provide security.
This will also include specially armoured €1.2 million Cadillac limousine, which is also used by Trump, and nicknamed, 'The Beast'.
A new drone defence system deployed in Ireland is also being used, amid concerns about the increasing the threat from unmanned aerial systems and the technological enhancements made in terms of payload and range.
These technologies are also immune to traditional communication interruption systems and was also used to devastating effect by operators in Russia and Ukraine.
US Secret Services have also been in contact with Gardaí and Defence Forces regarding these security measures, the Irish Independent have reported, with the multi layers security operation used being described as the greatest in Irish history, according to one source.
They said: “There have been three assassination attempts [against Mr Trump] in the space of just over 18 months. That speaks for itself in terms of the security precautions that are being taken".
A no fly zone will also be around the Doonbeg golf course as part of the implementation of security around Mr Trump's stay, with an exclusion also being maintained at the nearby Clare coast. Security checkpoints will also be maintained across all access points to Doonbeg, while golf lovers have also been asked to allow additional time to reach the venue and to clear security.
This visit is to also see Mr Trump meet with Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Irish President Catherine Connolly, with various global issues set to be the topic of discussion. More on this from Nova here.
