US visitors to Ireland have been advised to avoid areas where protests are taking place.
The US state department’s bureau of diplomatic security said that while the Garda Síochána was a “professional national police force”, “austerity measures, hiring freezes and senior-level retirements have resulted in resource, manpower, and experience deficits that have affected morale and, at times, policing functions”.
The 2012 annual crime and safety report also notes that a “small but vocal and active percentage of Irish citizens oppose US foreign policy on Iraq, Afghanistan and the Israeli/Palestinian conflict”.
While the “police present at these events is generally adequate”, US citizens are encouraged to avoid areas where protests are taking place.