Over 2,000 army personnel and heavy armour have begun to deploy around Shannon ahead of tomorrow's controversial visit to Ireland by US President George W Bush.
Some 40 armoured personnel carriers and transport vehicles are taking up positions around Dromoland Castle, where Mr Bush will stay tomorrow night and attend an EU-US summit on Saturday.
An unspecified number of American personnel who are beleived to be armed will join the 6,000 members of the army and garda who have been deployed to the area.
At least one US military aircraft, believed to contain a number of armour-plated limousines, landed at Shannon Airport last night.
The security build-up comes as the Government faces increased criticism over the visit of the US President with politicians and union leaders voicing opposition to the visit.
Thousands of protestors are expected to attend various protests in various cities around the country over the next couple of days.
The biggest attendence is expected to attend tomorrow night's Stop Bush demonstration at Parnell Square in Dublin. On Saturday morning, protesters will assemble at Clarecastle, Co Clare, and march to Toomebridge, for a rally and music at about midday.
Mr Brendan Butler of the NGO Peace Alliance and Richard Boyd Barrett of the IAWM today stressed that the protests would be family-friendly and peaceful.
Gardaí have announced major traffic restrictions in the mid west. Beginning at 10 p.m. tonight, the R458 from the Clare Inn roundabout to Ministers Cross, Newmarket-on-Fergus, will be closed until Saturday at 3 p.m..
The N18 will be closed from tomorrow at 3 p.m. between Clonmoney, Shannon, and Skehanagh, Clarecastle, until Saturday at 3p.m. and traffic will be diverted. Shannon Airport will operate as normal tomorrow and Saturday.