The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is set to collaborate with the Irish police force, anastomosing with law enforcement agencies from Latvia and Portugal, to ensure the safety and security of a significant European Union (EU) summit taking place in Dublin this week. This event will be the largest policing and security operation in the history of the Republic of Ireland, as it hosts the European Political Community (EPC) summit on Thursday and an informal meeting of the European Council on Friday. The escalating threats, including hoax bomb threats and public order disruptions, have necessitated the unprecedented deployment of manpower to manage the events, causing significant travel and traffic disruption in Dublin.
The international leaders attending the EPC summit and the EU council meeting will face traffic congestion due to temporary traffic restrictions across the wider Dublin region. The highest impact is expected from 13:00 (local time) on Wednesday, 11 November, until 23:00 that day, as well as during peak hours on Thursday, 12 November and Friday, 13 November. The M50 motorway and Dublin Port Tunnel are anticipated to remain unaffected. Political leaders will arrive and depart from Dublin Airport during the same period, causing additional disruptions.
The 3Arena, hosting former One Direction singer Niall Horan's concerts on 9, 10, 12, and 13 November, will be situated outside the security cordon for this operation. However, east/west traffic on North Wall Quay from 10-13 November will be restricted. Luas operations will continue as normal on 10 November 2026, but there will be no east/west traffic on North Wall Quay from 10-13 November.
The Republic of Ireland has been the EU presidency chair since 1 July and will maintain this role until 31 December. Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly expressed confidence in their preparedness for the challenging couple of days ahead, despite the multifaceted threats they are addressing, including hybrid attacks, public order disturbances, and general interference.