1,000 gardai will be deployed for safety of public

MORE than a thousand gardai will place a ring of steel around Dublin city centre today - as St Patrick's Day festivities get underway.

- BY PAUL HEALY

Gardai are understood to be operating a visible presence across the city as the parade takes place - in a major move to reassure the public that the capital is safe.

Officers are understood not to be concerned about any specific threat - but are monitoring the situation on social media and in potential anti-social hotspots.

It comes amid claims the festival was the subject of an alleged online threat from ISIS.

In comments made to the Sunday Times previously, Patrick McMenamin, Chief Superintendent of Store Street garda station said the threat has been assessed but is not of concern.

The St Patrick's Day Parade is due to kick off at midday at Parnell Square North and will finish at Kevin Street Lower.