Gardaí are taking significant precautions ahead of the influx of England fans in Dublin this weekend as Lee Carsley’s Three Lions face Heimir Hallgrímsson’s Republic of Ireland at Aviva Stadium.
In response to the anticipated crowd, all Garda leave in Dublin has been cancelled, and approximately 350 specialist officers will be on duty to manage the situation. This is part of a comprehensive policing plan, named Operation Dearóil, which will be in effect from Friday through Sunday morning.
For the match, England fans have been allocated just 2,981 tickets, yet nearly 12,000 are estimated to be traveling to Ireland, many without tickets.
An Garda Síochána is expected to rely on their experience with large crowds, including those attending stag parties and other events, while a team from the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) will also assist in Dublin.
The Irish police have taken inspiration from the strategies used by German police during the recent Euros. Historical context remains pertinent, as a friendly match between the two nations at Lansdowne Road in 1995 was abandoned due to crowd trouble that escalated into violence, forcing some Irish fans to seek refuge on the pitch.
Since then, England’s return to Dublin for a friendly in 2015 saw no incidents, and the match ended in a 0-0 draw. As the weekend approaches, Gardaí are committed to ensuring safety and smooth proceedings during this highly anticipated encounter.
Credit: Joe Sports
