http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2004/02/26/story258059057.asp
article as follows:

Thursday, February 26, 2004 :

FRONT | IRELAND | SPORT | WORLD | BUSINESS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bush visit will spark biggest ever security operation

By Fionnán Sheahan, Political Correspondent
DUBLIN or a location in the West of Ireland will be at the centre of the country’s biggest ever security operation in June for the visit of US President George W Bush.Mr Bush will be in the country on June 25 and 26 for a European Union United States summit aimed at repairing the damage caused by the divisions over the war in Iraq.

But the summit will be targeted by thousands of anti-war and anti-globalisation protesters and security issues will be the key criteria in deciding upon the location.

Previously it was suggested that the summit may take place in Belgium or the US due to security fears.

The summit will be attended by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Mr Bush, Minister for Foreign Affairs Brian Cowen, EU Commission President Romano Prodi and EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana.

Mr Bush may be accompanied by US Secretary of State Colin Powell or National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice.

Ireland's EU Presidency ends on June 30 and Mr Ahern will meet Mr Bush three times during the course of the month.

The Taoiseach will also attend the G8 summit in Georgia, US, on June 8 to 10 and the NATO summit in Istanbul, Turkey, on June 28 to 29.

Last night, a Government spokesperson pointed out that the Taoiseach has mentioned he wants to do all he can to improve upon the relationship between the EU and the US.

The spokesperson added that the Government was confident the security services would be able to handle the event.

Minister for Justice Michael McDowell has already allocated an extrae7 million for security duties during the EU presidency. Additional members of the Garda Síochána have also been receiving riot training in anticipation of disturbances at EU presidency events.

In Dublin, Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park is a potential location, while a number of isolated castles in the West of Ireland are also being mentioned.

Before the war in Iraq, Mr Bush visited Northern Ireland for a meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and also met the Taoiseach.

The summit was held in Hillsborough Castle outside Belfast and the security operation involved closing off Hillsborough village and keeping protesters five miles away.