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The pope's visit to Ireland next month will cost around 5 million euros on the annual budget of the garda, according to informed sources in the force.
An Garda Siochana will badume the costs of additional police services and significant overtime that should be incurred during the two-day visit at a time when resources are depleted.
The figure of 5 million euros for the police of what should be an international television event represents one quarter of the total cost of 20 million euros to bring Pope Francis to the event of the World Meeting of Families of the Catholic Church.
The state will bear the cost of logistics and security, while the Catholic Church will contribute for a substantial amount.
The Church has already collected about 5 million donations from church collections and a fundraiser.
In addition to the 5 million euros expected by the Garda, the state also spends 1.2 million euros for CCTV and the event sound system, according to recent reports.
The Public Works Board put two contracts worth 1.5 million euros into tender. According to the online news site, Journal.ie
Garda's resources are already stretched, according to senior sources, with police and criminal operations already affected by restrictions on overtime and some police programs in some regions.
The papal visit will require intense security not only during the 36 hours expected of the pontiff in Ireland, but also the days before.
The pope will arrive in Dublin on Saturday 25 August and will be welcomed in Ireland by President Michael D. Higgins in Aras an Uachtarain.
The Pope will spend his first day attending the World Family Meeting at Croke Park. The next day, he will travel to Knock to recite the Angelus at Marian Sanctuary in front of about 45,000 people.
He will then return to Dublin to celebrate the Closing Mbad of the World Meeting of Families in Phoenix Park.
While in Ireland, he also visits the Capuchin Day Center in Dublin City Center, Dublin Castle and Dublin's Pro Cathedral.
Hundreds of guards will be redeployed from all over the country to Knock and Dublin. Specialized units will be involved in previous days in sweeping and securing points along the Pope's road. The Garda Air Support Unit will be deployed throughout the Pope's visit. The Defense Forces and the Air Corps will also provide reinforcements for the duration of his visit.
Garda Assistant Commissioner Pat Leahy told the joint Dublin Police Forum earlier this month that the event would require about 1,500 guards in Dublin alone. They will work up to 18 hours of work.
Security will be at its peak during the Phoenix Park event on August 26 when approximately 600,000 people are expected to attend the last Mbad of the World Reunion of Families.
All events are tagged, and those who wish to attend must register online.
Independent Sunday
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