Northern Ireland

Joe Biden: Massive security operation in full swing as Belfast prepares for president's arrival

A MASSIVE security operation is in place across Belfast ahead of the arrival of President Joe Biden on Tuesday.

One of the largest mass mobilisations of police in years comes against the backdrop of dissident republican threats to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

Last month MI5 upped the security threat level to 'severe', while the PSNI last week said there was potential for public disorder over Easter, with "very strong intelligence" suggesting dissident republicans were planning attacks.

It comes amid widespread condemnation of scenes of violence against police during a dissident parade in Derry on Monday.

A number of missiles were hurled by young people at a PSNI Land Rover monitoring the parade in the Creggan area of the city on Easter Monday.

'They can't keep me out.' US President Joe Biden says the raising of Northern Ireland's terror threat level won't affect his plans to visit the region. More here: https://t.co/f5oHmeWd5O pic.twitter.com/T5fXKDH42F — UTV Live News (@UTVNews) March 29, 2023

Read more: Can ChatGPT create an itinerary for the perfect day in Northern Ireland for US President Joe Biden?

Separately, in a statement to the Irish News, the New IRA, who shot and seriously injured senior PSNI officer John Caldwell in Co Tyrone in February, said it would continue to 'train, recruit and target.'

A ring of steel is expected to be imposed around Ulster University in Belfast city centre, where the president will deliver an address on Wednesday.

A police operation was ongoing this morning close to the Ulster University's Belfast campus where President Biden is set to speak
A police operation was ongoing this morning close to the Ulster University's Belfast campus where President Biden is set to speak A police operation was ongoing this morning close to the Ulster University's Belfast campus where President Biden is set to speak

Security will also be tight around the Grand Central Hotel on Bedford Street in the city, where President Biden is expected to spend his sole night in Northern Ireland.

James Street, Franklin Street, Bedford Street and Clarence Street West in Belfast city centre will be closed to vehicles from today until Wednesday afternoon.

Police said those travelling to and from Belfast International Airport can expect disruption.

Members of the White House security detail have been based in the north for several weeks in preparation for the presidential visit, the first since Barack Obama, a decade ago. 

President Biden will be met by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak when Air Force One touches down at Aldergrove today.

A White House spokesman said on Monday that the president was "very excited" about visiting Ireland during a press briefing.

Ahead of the president's arrival, police in Derry were attacked with petrol bombs and other missiles during an illegal republican parade.

Officers were in an armoured police vehicle came under attack in the Creggan area of the city, where the parade, led by more than a dozen people in paramilitary-style dress, began.

Meanwhile, gardaí have inspected a possible helicopter landing zone at a Co Louth GAA club as part of final preparations for a President Biden's visit.

After staying overnight in Belfast, the president is expected to travel south to Carlingford and Dundalk in Co Louth on Wednesday, before arriving in Dublin.

On the Dublin leg of the journey, Mr Biden will address Irish parliamentarians and meet Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and President Michael D Higgins.

The end of the trip will include a public speech by the US President in Co Mayo, outside St Muredach's Cathedral in Ballina, on Friday evening.