Garda Commissioner Expects Major Policing Incident During EU Presidency

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly stated it would be «highly surprising» if Ireland's EU Presidency passes without a major policing incident. Foreign police and security forces have arrived in Ireland to assist gardaí in securing events in Dublin and Cork, with many involved in specialist areas like counter-drone monitoring, remaining out of public view.

The opening ceremony of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union is on Wednesday in Dublin, followed by a major meeting of the College of Commissioners in Cork on Thursday and Friday. This operation, involving hundreds of gardaí, military personnel, a French naval frigate, and foreign security forces, is the largest in the State's history, planned over two years. Gardaí have built roadblocks to prevent vehicle ramming attacks and warned of «robust enforcement action» against protesters, vowing no repeat of past disruptions like fuel protests or ceding control of critical infrastructure.

Kelly expressed confidence in preparations, noting the threat level is not critical but on a «centre ground.» He anticipates a major incident within the next six months, having extensively prepared for various scenarios including public order and hybrid threats, drawing on experiences from fuel blockades. While foreign officers are assisting with specialist skills, public-facing frontline policing will be handled by gardaí.