Dublin Airport bomb threat revealed as Gardaí ramp up EU summit security

Hoax bomb threats hit Ryanair flight and Cork school

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly confirmed the incident while outlining the preparations for the major international gathering. 

He revealed that it was one of two false threats dealt with by gardaí in the space of 24 hours, with a separate hoax alert made against a school in Co Cork on Monday. 

A 14-year-old is suspected of being responsible for the school incident, according to Dublin Live.

Water cannons and anti-drone teams on standby for Dublin summit

The threats come as more than 5,000 Gardaí have been deployed to protect Dublin during the summit, which will bring up to 50 heads of state and other international leaders to the city. 

The operation began on Tuesday morning and is the largest security effort An Garda Síochána has ever mounted, according to The Irish Times.

More than 500 public order officers are involved, with additional measures including barriers designed to stop large vehicles, water cannons and heavy towing vehicles on standby. 

Police from Latvia, Portugal and Northern Ireland are also providing specialist support with anti-drone operations and bomb-sniffing dogs, although they will not be working on the frontline.

Kelly acknowledged the “significant risk” involved in securing the capital during such a high-profile event, but said officers were prepared for “all eventualities”. 

He also warned that gardaí would not tolerate attempts to block roads or disrupt the summit.

Gardaí warn protesters they will not tolerate road blockades

Assistant Commissioner Jonathan Roberts, the senior officer overseeing policing in Dublin, said any obstruction would be dealt with “swiftly and robustly”.

He pointed to the fuel-related protests in April as an example of the disruption authorities wanted to prevent. 

However, Roberts said there was no evidence that Friday's planned anti-Government demonstration “would be anything but peaceful”.

Kelly also insisted there would be “absolutely no toleration” for serious protests or roadblocks in Dublin or elsewhere during the week.

The European Political Community summit is due to take place at the Convention Centre on Dublin's north quays on Thursday.