Gardaí are to set up a special policing plan ahead of US President Donald Trump's expected visit to Ireland in September.
Officers have been asked by Garda HQ if they would be willing to carry out overtime duties on the weekend beginning, Friday, September 11, in what is known as "Operation Far Sunrise".
Preparations are being made for Mr Trump to arrive at Shannon Airport, and visit his golf resort at Doonbeg, Co Clare. They are also considering the possibility that he may travel to Dublin.
According to a source for the Irish Independent, a major plan is being put in place ahead of Mr Trump's expected visit.
“Operation Far Sunrise is a major policing plan, which is being put in place ahead of the expected visit of the US president", the source said. “With this happening right in the middle of Ireland hosting the EU presidency, it will be one of the biggest security operations to happen in the history of the State".
They added: “The Special Detective Unit are in charge of the logistics of this operation. It is absolutely massive in scale, even though it is unclear now whether it would be an official state visit or what way it may play out".
“At this stage, expressions of interest in terms of overtime are being sought, and gardaí who are on rest days are being asked if they are interested in working that weekend", (all quotes according to the Irish Independent).
At the time of writing, neither the White House nor the Irish Government had confirmed whether the visit was going ahead.
But a spokesperson for the US embassy in Dublin said that any presidential visit to the country would be announced by the White House. No other details were revealed.
September will see the Amgen Irish Open take place at Trump International Golf Links at Doonbeg from the 10th to the 13th of that month.
Earlier this month, Donald Trump said that he was considering attending the golf event, as well as praising the golf course itself.
"It's one of the best most beautiful golf courses anywhere in the world. I won't mention its name, but maybe I should actually", Trump said in a pre recorded video which was played during the US ambassador's 4 July party in Dublin. "We have the Irish Open going to be there. We're going to have a tremendous celebration".
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