NEW YORK BOSTON |#Popular: Irish Celebrity Gossip Irish Pubs Irish Festivals Irish Roots Irish Entertainment Offbeat Irish

Home Page > News > Irish kept in dark on Obama security measures by Secret Service

Irish kept in dark on Obama security measures by Secret Service

Security so tight that even host government is kept guessing

NIALL O'DOWD,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Monday, May 23, 2011, 7:23 AM

Updated Monday, May 23, 2011, 11:31 AM

Larger Text

E-mail

56 Comments

U.S. President Barack Obama (L) and first lady Michelle Obama (R) are greeted by Irish President Mary McAleese (2nd L) and her husband Martin at her official residence

Photo by Reuters

PHOTOS - President Obama's trip to Ireland - photo gallery

Follow all the stories on Obama and his trip to Ireland

Irish authorities were taken aback when US security services refused to share key information about the President Obama visit, despite the fact that he is a guest in Ireland.

However, US security services are so concerned abut Obama’s safety that key details have not been fleshed out with Irish police.

It is believed that 150 secret service agents alone are on hand to ensure that the security aspects of the trip are carried off smoothly.

But Irish security chiefs were said to be taken aback by the lack of information until the very last second on key aspects of the president’s trip according to The Irish Times.

Having carried out flawless security for Queen Elizabeth’s recent visit to Ireland, the were expecting more input..

The president’s location overnight was only decided at the last minute with the five star Merrion Hotel opposite Irish government buildings locked down yesterday by the secret service.

It had been presumed that the president would stay in the Ambassador’s residence in the Phoenix Park where President Clinton had stayed.

It has also been revealed that Obama will visit the US Embassy in Ballsbridge , Dublin and a major security alert was under way there.

There will be a massive security presence at the president’s outdoor speech in College Green in the heart of Dublin

Key issues on whether the president would travel by car to the Phoenix Park to meet with President McAleese and the Irish government or by helicopter were also not released in advance.

The village of Moneygall has also been put in lock down with a massive security operation in place.

TV crews from around the world were on hand and were complaining that tight security meant that they might not get the best shots. The NBC Today show planned a major live broadcast from the site.

PHOTOS - President Obama's trip to Ireland - photo gallery

Follow all the stories on Obama and his trip to Ireland

----------------------

Maureen Dowd writes on Obama mania in Moneygall

Obama’s “Irish Brigade” will march on Ireland for president’s visit

----------------------

Nster.com

E-mail

56 Comments

15 - 56 | See all comments

weasetta | May 24, 2011, 12:11 PM EDT

To mqggiepoo: I did not mean you. I meant those other two jokers. I am sorry, I apologize to you.

Report abuse

weasetta | May 24, 2011, 11:14 AM EDT

Maggiepoo, Deburca and Ajreaper worship Obummer are akin to the rats following the Pied Piper of Hamlin. Let em' go! That'll be 2 less to blindly follow their leader! Haha!!!!

Report abuse

ochshane | May 24, 2011, 10:57 AM EDT

Party like it's 1967 (in Israel)! Teabagging,now there's a concept!

Report abuse

deburca | May 24, 2011, 10:31 AM EDT

Comparing the Right Winger/tbagger posts to all other posts in here makes the ignorance of the tbaggers so obvious. Racist, ignorant put downs of the president with no basis in reality, and right wing talking points. The funny thing is that they think what they're saying isn't stupid.

Report abuse

Ajreaper | May 23, 2011, 10:37 PM EDT

weasetta by not being able to answer my question you answered it- nothing more then a blow hard minus and substance at all. Can call the President names and complain about what he's done or not done but actually provide information, be specific about any of your accusations well you lack that ability. Its really alright as no one her believed you capable of an actual adult debate concerning anything of substance. Maggiepoo I dont recall the president ever claiming to be any of those things- others provide the labels he never has.

Report abuse

deburca | May 23, 2011, 08:43 PM EDT

Maggiepoo, all tbaggers call themselves "Independents". True Independents do not write crap like you are about the POTUS. You're a bagger and your comments give you away, because tbaggers are writing the same garbage all over the internet. Some do it for a couple cents per word, others just do it for free because they have Obama Derangement Syndrome (ODS - The acute onset of paranoia in otherwise normal people in reaction to the policies, the statements -- nay -- the very existence of Barack Obama.)

Report abuse

deburca | May 23, 2011, 07:59 PM EDT

maggiepoo & weasetta, the more the 2 of you say, the more you expose just how deranged the tparty people are.

Report abuse

deburca | May 23, 2011, 05:37 PM EDT

Is féidir linn!

Report abuse

deburca | May 23, 2011, 05:17 PM EDT

Yes, don't worry nutters, "God will sort this all out" lol

Report abuse

weasetta | May 23, 2011, 05:09 PM EDT

Deburca, lol! Haha! You are hilarious!!!!!

Report abuse

weasetta | May 23, 2011, 04:18 PM EDT

Actually, just to hear King Obama speak makes me Ill so Deburca I would listen o what he has to say anyway. He says onething then behind the scenes he is doing an entirely different thing. All of you with your serious disillusions about your Master Obama can keep worshiping him. I see no reason to justify my feelings on this subject, Ajreaper. At least I am free in my mind as are alot of others. Pity those who worship this wanna be King.

Report abuse

deburca | May 23, 2011, 02:37 PM EDT

I apparently cannot post the link here so I suggest you all go to IrishTimes.com to hear the audio of President Obama's excellent speech given in College Green in Dublin today!

Report abuse

Ajreaper | May 23, 2011, 02:37 PM EDT

Billyjustin- whio in this world is not politically minded? LOL, weasetta the antichrist? Oh my now claim he's another Hitler- I mean why stop at being half a nutt job? Explain exactly what he has done that makes him a wanna be king? Don't generalize be specific and if you are unable to its time to remain quiet.

Report abuse

deburca | May 23, 2011, 02:25 PM EDT

Here is a link to the audio of President Obama's excellent speech in Dublin. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0523/breaking1.html

Report abuse

weasetta | May 23, 2011, 02:22 PM EDT

All of you liberal, right wingers are so blinded by he thinks he is a king and wanna be dictator, will never see the truth until it is too late. As for most True, red-blooded Americans such as I see through the farce and innate evilness. He is the Devil Incarnate. Also known as the Third Anti-Christ.

Report abuse