It may be the Irish Open, but security chiefs are hoping Doonbeg will be closed to protesters this weekend.
Gardaí have drafted in officers from outside the Clare division for what has been declared an extraordinary policing event, with hundreds of guards being deployed to the West Clare village for Donald Trump’s stay as part of his visit to Ireland.
Security sources have described the operation as one of the most complex ever undertaken in the State, with signal-jammers to disrupt drones, extensive weapons checks for spectators, and advice from gardaí not to rely on satnav due to widespread road closures around the course.
But none of that deterred the huge crowds at Doonbeg yesterday for Pro-Am day at the tournament. Home favourites Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry attracted the biggest support on the fairways.
McIlroy said it would be an unusual event, but most of those taking part were planning to ‘keep our head down and play’.
He said: ‘I think the weekend, especially when he’s here [will feel different]. Crowds will be limited. Obviously, there’s a lot that goes on. So, logistically, it provides some challenges, absolutely. But at the same time, if [Mr Trump] wants to come and watch the Irish Open, who are we to say no?’
The visit poses additional logistical headaches for security services as it comes amid several major meetings for Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said on Wednesday ‘a lot of preparatory work’ had been undertaken on the country’s counter-drone capabilities, stating that An Garda Síochána had ‘resourced the situation very significantly’ in terms of on-land capability.
However, he added: ‘There is more to do offshore, and that work is under way.
‘That procurement is under way and that’s a very active programme that is being pursued.
‘But certainly, An Garda Síochána in advance of the EU presidency had secured the drone technology capacity that they required.’
Ireland’s air traffic control provider AirNav confirmed that an aircraft arriving into Dublin on Tuesday evening reported a possible drone sighting.
It said a safety report was filed and the sighting was reported to An Garda Síochána.
An Garda Síochána said it was investigating the reports ‘in conjunction with the relevant authorities’.
