Dublin Traffic Disruption Warning for EU Summits Nov 11–13
Irish police have warned of significant traffic disruption across Dublin from Wednesday, November 11, as the city hosts a European Political Community meeting and an informal European Council summit. Gardaí call it the largest security operation in the state's history.
Irish police have issued a traffic disruption warning for Dublin this week as the city hosts two major European Union presidency events on Thursday, November 12, and Friday, November 13. An Garda Síochána, Ireland's national police force, says the security operation will be the largest in the state's history.
Ireland has chaired the EU presidency since July 1 and will do so until December 31. Many EU political leaders have already visited the country in recent months.
The first event is a meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) on Thursday. About 50 international leaders will attend. An informal meeting of the European Council follows on Friday, with leaders from the 27 EU member states and some other international leaders staying on in Dublin.
The EPC will take place at the Convention Centre Dublin, with a formal dinner at the National Gallery of Ireland on Thursday evening. Friday's council meeting will also be held at the convention centre.
Peak restriction times
Policing will begin and build up gradually from Tuesday, November 10. Gardaí expect temporary traffic restrictions across the wider Dublin region to allow security motorcycle escorts from Dublin Airport and Casement Aerodrome to the city centre.
The highest impact is expected at these times, local time:
Wednesday, November 11, 13:00–23:00, airports to city centre. Thursday, November 12, 07:00–11:00, airports to city centre and within the city centre. Thursday, 15:00–23:00, city centre. Friday, November 13, 07:00–11:00, city centre. Friday, 13:00–20:00, city centre to airports.
The M50 motorway and the Dublin Port Tunnel are not expected to be directly affected.
Airports and the 3Arena
Leaders will arrive and depart through Dublin Airport on November 11, 12 and 13. Gardaí said normal operations would continue there, and the departure and arrival roads for terminals one and two will be unaffected. Travelers have been told to allow extra time at peak periods.
Traffic restrictions will apply at Dunbro between the R108 and R122. Extra patrols will cover perimeter roads including the Naul Road, R108, R132 and Old Airport Road. Access to the aircraft viewing stands on the R108 and Naul Road will be restricted.
Heads of state or government will also arrive and depart at Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel, the Irish military airbase. Parking and stopping on its perimeter roads will be restricted.
Former One Direction singer Niall Horan is playing four nights at the 3Arena, on November 9, 10, 12 and 13. The venue sits outside the security cordon, but there will be no east-west traffic on North Wall Quay from November 10 to 13. Cars can reach the arena via Seville Place and Sherriff Street Upper, and East Wall Road.
Supt Liam Geraghty said the force had held "intense and extensive planning" talks with local authorities, transport companies, businesses and residents in key locations. He compared the operation with those for any US presidential visit and said it is bigger.
"Our appeal is to advise the public of the significant traffic disruptions that will take place in order to put that policing and security operation in place," he said.
