Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DUBLIN RING OF STEEL FOR N.IRELAND MATCH
Security to be stepped up ahead of Aviva clash
A RING of steel is expected to be placed in Dublin tomorrow for Northern Ireland’s clash with the Republic.
The Green And White Army will face their neighbours in the Aviva Stadium for the first time since 2011.
Ahead of the 11th meeting of the sides, gardai have been liaising with their PSNI counterparts.
Intelligence is being examined on potential troublemakers, both from a political perspective and the football hooligan side, while the possible involvement of dissident elements is also a cause for concern. A source said: “The threat assessment level for the match is low and trouble is not anticipated, but concerns do exist there may be some flashpoints between particular groups of fans.” Plain-clothed officers and CCTV operators will be monitoring activity along with the normal uniformed units. Riot police will also be placed on standby near the ground.
A Section 21 Public Order Act Direction will be declared allowing Irish cops to control access and search the public within a mile of the venue.
The teams will be escorted to the ground by officers on motorbikes.
A Garda search team will sweep the stadium before kick-off and having cleared the area will seal the Aviva until the arrival of fans. Air Support, mounted and dog units will also be on duty.
James Mcclean is one player who could be on the receiving end of abuse from Northern Ireland fans over his stance on the poppy.
The Derryman refuses to wear the emblem and was the victim of taunts and chants from fans in England in the build-up to Remembrance Sunday.
Martin O’neill recently said if the match was in Belfast he would consider not playing the Stoke City winger.
He added: “If this game was up North and he [Mcclean] was going to be subjected to whatever he might be, then I’d certainly have a look at that.”