Security costs set to top €1m

ALL MAJOR dissident republicans on the island of Ireland are being ‘closely monitored’ this weekend to ensure terrorists are not plotting to launch an attack on Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during their visit to Dublin next week.

Senior sources said that significant ‘behind-the-scenes’ intelligence operations are under way.

This includes extensive profiling and monitoring of members of the Real IRA and other splinter groups.

Specialist officers from the Liaison and Protection unit, based at Garda HQ at Phoenix Park, have developed a joint security plan with the Royal Protection Team in the UK.

Sources said that up to 500 gardaí, including armed units, armed detectives and uniformed unarmed gardaí will be patrolling. Meanwhile, sniper teams will be deployed to rooftops. It is thought the security cost will likely top €1million.