Lockdown in Kilcullen for Queen's visit

Part of Kilcullen will be put under security lockdown for much of Thursday 19 May when Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain visits Kildare, writes Brian Byrne.

The crossroads area will be closed off to all traffic from 9.30am on the day until after 4.30pm, the period during which the Queen will travel from the National Stud to Gilltown, and from there back to Dublin via the motorway.

Up to 50 gardai will be on duty in the town, a number of whom will be armed. Business people and other members of the community were told last night of the security arrangements by Superintendent Pat Mangan and Inspector Paul Dolan, at a meeting in Fallons.

No parking will be allowed on the Curragh or Church roads in the village, and no vehicular traffic will be allowed through Kilcullen in any direction during the security period.

In addition, no parking will be allowed from the crossroads to the bridge, and from the crossroads to the motorway. Gardai will be 'taking possession' of the roads as cars leave their spaces from 6pm on the Wednesday evening.

Traders have been asked to change scheduled deliveries to either the previous or following day, or at the very least until after 4.30pm on the day.

Barriers will be erected along the roads and the crossroads itself, and Superintendent Mangan said people will be very welcome to watch from behind them.

"We will also use common sense to facilitate local people going about their business," he said, "but once the Queen moves, we will be firm on security issues."

It is understood that gardai will also be in the business and residential buildings that line the Queen's route through Kilcullen.

We'll report further details as they become clear. A special telephone number will be set up in the next few days at Naas Garda Station to answer any local enquiries.