Gardaí are confident they can meet the “challenges” of US president Donald Trump’s visit to Ireland, the Taoiseach has said.

Trump is to visit Ireland on Saturday and Sunday during which he will meet political leaders and also attend the Irish Open golf tournament.

A major security operation will be in place for his arrival, with the Defence Forces co-ordinating manoeuvres with An Garda Síochána.

The visit poses additional logistical headaches for security services as it coincides with several major meetings for Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union.

At his Fianna Fáil party think-in in Tullamore, Co Offaly, Micheál Martin said “very significant resources” have been allocated to security services for the visit and the presidency.

He said he spoke to Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly last week. “He was, first of all, very strong and confident in terms of the capacity of An Garda Síochána to meet the challenges that lie ahead.

“This is an exceptionally busy year for An Garda Síochána, with the presidency of the European Union, the visit of president Trump, and we do have the capacities to manage this and to do it properly.

“Resources, and very significant resources, have been allocated in that regard, and so I’m confident of that.”

Trump is to meet President Catherine Connolly during his visit to Ireland.

No access to Phoenix Park for two days next week due to Donald Trump’s visit

The US president will be in Ireland on September 12th and 13th for engagements in the capital, Dublin, as well as at his golf resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare, which will be hosting the Irish Open.

Arrangements are being finalised but it is understood Trump will be greeted by Tánaiste Simon Harris at Dublin Airport on Saturday.

He is then expected to meet Connolly, a long-standing critic of the US president, at Áras an Uachtaráin in the Phoenix Park before a nearby engagement with Martin at the Farmleigh Estate.

The Taoiseach met Trump in the White House for St Patrick’s Day in March. – PA

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