Major security operation underway in Cork for visit of EU Commission president 

A major security operation is underway in Cork for the visit of EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to mark the opening of Ireland’s six-month EU presidency this week.

University College Cork, which will host most of the events that take place in Cork, will be locked down today, tomorrow, and Friday, with staff and students told to work from home.

Thorough security sweeps are to take place across UCC today ahead of the arrival of EU commissioners tomorrow.

Superintendent Gary McPolin, the tactical commander for roads policing of the events in Cork, said that there would be some rolling road closures on the southside of the city, particularly around UCC tomorrow and Friday.

Parking restrictions will also be in place over these days around the UCC area.

Appeal for patience

Superintendent McPolin appealed for the public to have patience with any traffic inconveniences they may experience in Cork city’s southside tomorrow and Friday.

He said gardaí have been preparing for these events for months and that every effort would be undertaken to minimise any inconvenience to the public.

Holding the EU presidency and hosting some of the first events in Cork was very positive for the city, and would be an opportunity to give the EU commissioners a “céad mile fáilte”, Superintendent McPolin said.

Hospitals and the HSE have been warned of any rolling road closures in Cork in advance.

Drone restrictions and no-fly zones will be in place at all venues hosting EU presidency events, including in UCC this week.

Detection systems will be in place to identify drones flying in restricted areas and the drone pilot. Breaches of flight restrictions are subject to investigation by gardaí and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA).

The State has invested significantly in drone and anti-drone capabilities, which has included collaboration with domestic and international experts in this technology, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said.

International security experts 

He said Ireland has also learned more widely from international security experts ahead of taking the EU presidency.

Postgraduate students in UCC were warned to remove any books they may need from the main library this week in advance and to use the Brookfield Health Sciences Complex library if they need to study.

The official opening ceremony of the Irish presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026 will take place today in Dublin Castle.

EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen will then visit Cork tomorrow and Friday. All 27 EU commissioners are also to be in Cork this week for meetings.

More than 250 events will take place across the country throughout the six-month presidency, which starts today and ends on December 31.