PAPAL VISIT CONFIRMED: IRELAND GETS READY FOR FRANCIS FRENZY
Cost of trip to top€18m..half of Obama and Queen’s week
A GIANT security operation to protect the Pope is likely to cost in the tens of millions, security experts have said.
The most recent big VIP occasions were the visits of President Barack Obama and Queen Elizabeth – in the same week in 2011.
Taxpayers forked out a combined €36million for those visits but the pontiff’s is expected to cost half of that figure this time.
Security sources said plans were already underway to deploy thousands of gardai and military personnel.
One said: “It is going to be very expensive and the initial estimate very rarely comes in under budget. The good news is that it appears to be centred around one city, Dublin, which will make it cheaper.
“For the Queen and US President visits were initially costed at €20million but turned out to be closer to €36million. That was a full week – this will be two days.
“The cost outlay for these operations comes in manpower, putting personnel up in hotels for several days, getting in fencing and protection posts, also the provision of round-the-clock surveillance and aircraft is always expensive.
MANPOWER
“Croke Park will involve closing off areas around the stadium under the Public Order Act. Gardai have regular experience of this.
“The Phoenix Park operation will be enormous but during the Queen’s visit the whole park was sealed off. It takes huge manpower.
“The Pope then may parade through the city which means every inch of the route has to be searched and secured.”
As with previous visits the visible protection will come from the uniform ranks of An Garda Siochana drawn from a nationwide pool.
And members of the Emergency Response Unit are to provide close protection but the Pope will travel with his own Vatican security detail.
Military personnel are expected to provide logistics and security – with the Army Ranger Wing also deployed.
And members of the Emergency Response Unit are expected to provide close protection but the Pope will travel with his own Vatican security detail.
The Air Support Unit will provide helicopter coverage but it is likely that this will be augmented by the Air Corps.