Security stepped up in Dublin ahead of Queen's Visit

Council workers in Dublin today removed litter bins from Dublin city centre as a security precaution ahead of the Queen of England's state visit to Ireland due to fears that explosive devices may be planted in them. The council has also enacted a ban on the erection of political posters between the 15th and 25th of May in what is being called an "attack on the right to political expression".

Security in the capital has also been beefed up ahead of Tuesday's visit with many predicting widespread street protests which may turn violent. According to reports, upwards of 10,000 soldiers and police will be required to provide security for the British head of State.

Crash barriers have also been placed in key locations around the city and hundreds of officers have been drafted in to carry out extra patrols.

During her stay there will be restrictions on a number of roads in the capital while the Gardaí have said that they will be carrying out periodic "stop & searches" of pedestrians.

While in Ireland the English Queen will visit a number of historic sites including Dublin's Garden of Remembrance which honours all of those who "gave their lives for Irish freedom". The visit to the memorial has sparked controversy, particularly as many of the people it honours, such as the leaders of the 1916 Rebellion, were executed by British firing squads. The Garden has been closed to the public since yesterday evening after fears that a republican protest group may attempt to occupy the memorial in advance of the visit.

The Monarch will also visit Dublin's Croke Park football stadium, the scene of a massacre in 1920 when British soldiers opened fire on players and spectators during a Gaelic football match, kiling 14 civilians including one player.

The massacre was Britain's response to an Irish Republican Army (IRA) operation earlier that morning which saw 12 of Britain's top Intelligence Agents in Dublin shot dead along with two soldiers.

The date of the Queen's arrival has also drawn criticism. The 17th of May marks the anniversary of a triple carbomb attack on Dublin City which killed 30 people. There has been widespread suspicion that British Security services were involved in the incident and the British government has continually refused to release sensitive files to investigators. The victims group, Justice for the Forgotten, will hold a memorial service for all those killed in the Dublin & Monaghan bombings on the morning of the Queen's arrival.

The English Queen will also visit sites in other Irish counties including Kildare, Cork and Mayo.

The visits have angered Irish Republicans as Britain still maintains control over six counties in the north east of the island. Many native Dubliners have also expressed concern at the cost of providing security for the visit (estimated to be in the region of €30 million) at a time when the Irish state is struggling to repay it's debts.

Protests, alternative events and pickets have been planned by a number of Irish Republican, Leftist and Anti-War groups.