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1,000 gardaí on duty for Croke Park clash

Croke Park - Traffic restrictions in red - Click here for full version
Croke Park - Traffic restrictions in red - Click here for full version

About 1,000 gardaí will be on duty around Croke Park tomorrow for the RBS 6 Nations rugby match between Ireland and England.

The organisers of tomorrow's protest outside Croke Park have said they want it to be peaceful.

Republican Sinn Féin said it is expecting between 50 and 100 people to take part in the protest.

Meanwhile, Britain's Foreign Office has advised travelling English fans to arrive in good time for the match because of reports that protests may take place near the stadium.

Earlier, gardaí announced arrangements for the game.

The Garda Press Office said in addition to traffic restrictions, a garda security cordon will be in place at which rigid searches will take place.

Items such as air horns, bottled alcohol, certain flag poles or any other items that could be used to cause injury or inconvenience to other supporters will not be allowed into the stadium.

Stiles open at 3.30pm - two hours ahead of kick-off. More than 82,000 supporters are due to attend the historic match.

Supporters are being advised to arrive early and they are encouraged not to bring any unnecessary bags with them.

Gardaí are also asking any person or organisation intending to stage any gathering or protest at Croke Park to contact Fitzgibbon Street Garda Station, where agreed arrangements can be made to facilitate such protests.