Over 5,000 gardaí in policing operation during EU summits

Updated / Tuesday, 10 Nov 2026 11:43

Over 5,000 gardaí will be involved in the operation to police the European Political Community heads of state meeting in Dublin this Thursday, with over 1,000 armed and public order gardaí on duty every day.

Gardaí also say that every member of the force will be involved directly or indirectly in the policing operation in ensuring business continuity and providing support.

The operation also involves international police and law enforcement agencies as well as military support from other European countries.

Garda headquarters also say that there will be no reduction in day-to-day policing services.

The operation will involve 15,000 12-hour tours of duty for gardaí; over 200 garda motorcycle escorts by 100 specially trained garda motorcyclists; 200 gardaí on search teams backed up by the Garda Water and Dog Units and the Defence Forces; 500 public order gardaí on duty every day and another 500 armed tactical gardaí including the Armed Support and Emergency Response Units.

Garda trainees and staff have also been reallocated from Templemore.

It is the largest policing operation ever undertaken by the gardaí.

An Garda Síochána's Policing and Security Operation for the European Political Community (EPC) and informal meeting of EU Heads of State or Government is underway. For further info and to view the interactive Traffic Cordon Map visit: https://t.co/uozWsVrcGP https://t.co/OmrZc4JNr0

— gardainfo (@Gardainfo) November 10, 2026

Gardaí also say that they are being supported by the PSNI, police from Latvia and Poland who are part of the High Risk Security Network, and other international law enforcement agencies.

However, they also say that foreign police are not involved in frontline policing.

Gardaí say they are also deploying various barriers including heavy vehicle mitigation (HVM) barriers and security scanning equipment to prevent potential attacks.

The Public Order Unit is being supported by a fleet of 40 bespoke retrofitted public order vehicles, Water Cannon and command vehicles.

Gardaí have also invested in the most advanced Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System - to counter hostile and unauthorised drone incursions. They say this will be in place to identify the location of drones and the identity of the drone pilot.

The largest and widest Temporary Restriction on airspace commences across Dublin from tomorrow morning until Saturday. Gardaí say that this includes restrictions on drones.

Gardaí also say that there will be public order restrictions in place to control access to the Convention Centre and the National Gallery of Ireland.

The largest and widest TRA flight restriction notifications is in place across Dublin from 9am Wednesday 11th Nov 2026 until 12md Saturday 14th Nov 2026. Breaches of TRAs and Geographical Zones are subject to investigation by An Garda Síochána and the IAA. ➡️ Visit https://t.co/c3CqzcHja0 for info.

— gardainfo (@Gardainfo) November 10, 2026

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