ADDITIONAL security arrangements are being put in place at the Border in response to the increasing threat of loyalist violence spilling over into the Republic.
Some 120 soldiers have been posted to assist gardai who are already placed on every Border crossing to stop the smuggling of BSE infected cattle. The soldiers are already based in the Border area and no extra troops are being drafted in.
There are 300 additional gardai at the Border who are working with some 300 local officers on the anti smuggling exercise.
The Defence Forces will provide support for the gardai at eight static checkpoints on main Border crossings and a further 14 mobile patrols.
The soldiers are from the 28th Battalion, in Finner, Co Donegal the 29th Battalion in Monaghan the 27th in Dundalk and the 4th Cavalry Squadron, in Longford.
Meanwhile, travellers to the North seeking the advice of the Garda are being told not to make the journey. This follows contact between the RUC and the Garda yesterday. "We are not issuing a general warning to people not to travel North, but if they seek our advice we are advising them against it", said a spokesman.
Traffic into Co Donegal has been disrupted, with several roads leading from the North blocked by protests.
Private bus services between north west Donegal and Derry and Belfast have been advised by the RUC not to travel to some towns.