Community Centre is security HQ for royals visit

The Kilcullen Community Centre is closed to the public today as part of the security arrangements for the visit of Prince Charles and his wife Camilla to the area, writes Brian Byrne.

The Centre is the local headquarters since yesterday of the Garda operation, with an expected 200 gardai involved.

The Prince will be shown around the United Nations Training School on the Curragh in the afternoon, while his wife visits the National Stud.

Earlier this morning, the royal couple are visiting Kilkenny, following last night's private dinner with President O'Higgins and his wife Sabina at Áras an Uachtaráin. They are to meet the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, this evening.

Six years ago, during the visit of the prince's mother, Queen Elizabeth, Kilcullen was locked down for most of a day while she visited Gilltown Stud, where she has horses.

The Community Centre will reopen to the public this evening.