We’re happy to pay price for security

IT’S a sign of the times that gardai and security officials have to search bags at gigs like the U2 concert in Croke Park last night.

And the same anti-terror protocols will be in place today for the Wexford versus Waterford quarter-final hurling clash at the revamped Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

Such is the fear of an attack that officers have been forced to implement measures such as bag searches and enforce bans on all backpacks at similar events.

Even the Fleadh Cheoil in Ennis, Co Clare, later this month has seen gardai liaise with their counterparts at Interpol in a bid to prevent an atrocity.

We might not be high up on the target list for radicalised jihadis but they are living here and, up to now, we would have been a soft target.

The terrible recent events in London and Manchester show how determined terrorists can bring murder and mayhem to the public at large.

The extra security measures at Croker, Pairc Ui Caoimh and, from now on, at all major events will lead to delays at entrances.

But so far the public are reacting well and understand that the searches are being carried out in all of our interests.

If these searches – and the resulting small delays – can deter a potential terrorist, then we’re all for it.

No one ever wants to see a copycat attack such those which occurred in the UK, France Germany or Belgium.