Dublin Traffic and Transport Disruptions: Major Road Closures for EU Summits

Fifty international leaders and 500 journalists have begun arriving in Dublin for a pair of high-level European summits, triggering the largest policing and security operation in the history of the State, [The Journal] reported.

The European Political Community summit opened on Thursday at the Convention Centre Dublin under the theme “Europe: Strong, Secure and Connected,” bringing together approximately 50 presidents and prime ministers, according to [The Journal]. An informal meeting of the European Council of EU heads of state and government will follow on Friday, [BBC] reported.

An Garda Síochána is deploying nearly all 15,000 members either on duty or supporting the operation, the [Irish Independent] reported.

Officers will perform more than 15,000 12-hour tours of duty between Tuesday and Friday, supported by the Police Service of Northern Ireland, alongside police from Latvia and Portugal and other international law enforcement agencies, [BBC] reported.

Security cordons, road closures, and traffic restrictions have transformed large parts of the Irish capital.

A security cordon has been in place around the National Gallery on Merrion Square since 7am, while the Convention Centre North Wall Quay continues to be closed to all traffic, including pedestrians, between Guild Street and New Wapping Street, [RTÉ] reported.

Road Closures Cause Travel Delays Across Dublin City Centre

Commuters face severe disruptions across Dublin city centre as rolling road closures operate between Dublin Airport, Casement Aerodrome, and the core business district. The greatest travel delays are expected between 1pm and 11pm along major arrival routes, [RTÉ](https://www.rte.ie) reported.

Dublin City Council advised workers to minimize car use, walk, cycle, or use public transport where possible.

While the M50 motorway and Dublin Port Tunnel remain open and unaffected by the movements, bus services are diverted from the quays east of Custom House, The Irish Times reported.

The Luas Red Line continues to operate to The Point stop at 3Arena, but Mayor Square and Spencer Dock stops are closed.

No Luas Red Line services will run to The Point before Niall Horan’s concerts at the 3Arena on Thursday and Friday, though a limited service will operate west from the stop following the events, The Irish Times reported.

Zelensky Meets US Envoys

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Dublin on Thursday, where he met with Taoiseach Simon Harris before holding discussions with US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Zelensky said that he expects answers from the US representatives following their recent meetings in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the [Irish Independent] reported.

“We expect to get reaction from the Russian side to issues raised at the meeting in Abu Dhabi,” Zelensky said, pointing to proposals for an energy ceasefire and a potential exchange of 1,000 to 1,200 prisoners of war, the [Irish Independent] reported.

Security guarantees for Ukraine also featured prominently in the bilateral talks. The meetings in Dublin coincide with a temporary maritime exclusion zone operating for the River Liffey and the Dublin coast from just after midnight on Wednesday until late Friday night, the [Irish Independent] reported.