Hi °C | Lo °C THE US secret service is to supply beer kegs to a pub US President Barack Obama is expected to visit in Moneygall, Co Offaly.
Security surrounding the trip will be so controlled that the agents will be supplying Ollie Hayes's bar with the barrels, the Herald can reveal.
It is understood the decision was taken as President Obama is likely to have a drink if he visits the pub.
The tiny village of Moneygall is planning a festival for the historic occasion.
President Obama, whose great-great-great-grandfather came from Moneygall, plans to set foot in his ancestral home during his two-day visit to Ireland.
It has now been revealed that the security costs for the visits of President Obama and Queen Elizabeth later this month are likely to top €30 million and involve 10,000 army and garda personnel.
SECURITY
Gardai from right around the country will be drafted in to boost the numbers needed for the massive security effort.
Gardai will provide a high-visibility security presence as well as dealing with street protests and the possibility of a terrorist attack.
Republican group Eirigi has revealed that it plans to occupy Dublin's Garden of Remembrance to block the visit of Queen Elizabeth.
The protest is likely to provoke a confrontation with gardai as the group plans to create a camp at the site from 3pm on May 15.
The group plans to occupy the site for 48 hours in an attempt to stop the British monarch from laying a wreath at the highly sensitive location.
In an online message, Eirigi said that if the queen succeeded in visiting the Garden of Remembrance it would mark a black day for Dublin and for Ireland.
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