THE SECRET SEWER-VICE

Security outfit check tunnels and seal up manholes, Protection unit armed... but won't have Irish permits

- JOHN HAND

US secret service personnel are checking sewer tunnels with cameras before sealing manholes on every road President Joe Biden is set to cross on his visit next week, the Irish Mirror can reveal.

Senior security sources said all routes by air the 80-year-old takes on his four-day visit to the island would be no-fly zones.

We have also learned gardai and the Government will “turn a blind-eye” to the US entourage’s massive haul of guns being brought in, many of which do not yet have permits.

And politicians will not be allowed to park in Leinster House on the day the President addresses the Dail because spaces there will be needed for up to 40 cars in Mr Biden’s cavalcade. The operation ahead of the visit is well underway as Biden’s officials continue to brief Irish authorities of his plans.

The President heads north to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement on Tuesday, before going to Louth, Dublin and Mayo.

Although sources have said that the US authorities do not foresee any major security threat a “no-stone-unturned” policy is in place.

A 200-strong secret service advance party have been scoping out the routes and locations in recent weeks.

Tunnels and manholes were examined as part of this and they are carrying out that task again, with cameras, before sealing each one.

A source said: “The team that is over had already done the checks on the tunnels and manholes a few weeks back but they’re under orders to do it again with cameras. The manholes will be totally sealed ahead of the trip.