From Tuesday to Saturday, Trinity will sit at the epicentre of what An Garda Síochana has confirmed will be “the largest policing and security operation in the history of the State”. As part of Ireland’s EU Presidency, Dublin is hosting two back-to-back international summits that will lead to restrictions along the south and east sides of campus.
On Thursday, the 9th European Political Community Summit will convene in the Convention Centre Dublin (CCD). It will bring together 50 European Heads of State and Government alongside leaders of major European and international institutions. That evening all 50 leaders will travel in motorcades from the Docklands to the National Gallery of Ireland for a formal summit dinner just over the wall from Trinity’s Moyne Institute. The following day, EU Member State leaders, the President of the European Council, and the President of the European Commission will meet at the CCD for an Informal Meeting of EU Heads of State or Government.
Because of the EU’s Thursday night dinner plans, staff and students will experience four days of checkpoints, bus diversions, and bridge, road, and Luas stop closures. Trinity Estates and Facilities has confirmed that all College buildings will remain open as normal throughout the week. Trinity buildings that fall directly inside the security zones will require double identification for entry.
The buildings affected include: all college buildings on South Leinster Street, Clare Street, Goldsmith Hall, TBSI, Dunlop Oriel House, Fenian Street, Trinity Central, Stack B in Custom House Quay and Lincoln Place Gate. The peak impacts for these buildings will be from Thursday to Friday, however some areas will be restricted from Tuesday.
Getting Through Checkpoints
An essential piece of information that all students need to know is the mandatory two-ID rule. Trinity Estates and Facilities and An Garda Síochána have communicated that T-cards alone will not get you through Garda Checkpoints. In order to access affected Trinity buildings, student residences, or streets inside the security zones, you must carry both your Trinity College ID Card, and official state photographic ID. For Students living in Goldsmith Hall or private accommodation inside the cordon, they must also carry proof of address. Part-time workers working in the cordon must also provide proof of their workplace.
Students should also be prepared for Garda bag and person searches at checkpoint entrances.
Visitors to Accommodation
There is also additional information that students and staff must take into account if they are living in Goldsmith Hall or on Merrion Square, Clare Street, Fenian Street, Lincoln Place, or Mount Street. These areas will be subject to Garda residential protocols from Wednesday through Friday morning. Visitors will be required to go through checkpoints on foot and must carry formal photo ID and the resident’s phone number. The resident must have their phone switched on to verify their visit when Gardaí call from the barrier. Visitors with mobility issues should make themselves known to Gardaí at cordon points for case-by-case vehicular facilitation. An Garda Síochána also strongly advises to avoid all deliveries and visits from contractors all day on Thursday, and Friday morning.
Commuting to Trinity
Commuters should plan for major changes. North Wall Quay (between Guild Street and New Wapping Street) is closed to both pedestrians and vehicular traffic from Tuesday, 7am, until Friday evening. On Wednesday, the Luas red line will run to The Point until 8pm, when Mayor Square — NCI and Spencer Dock stops close. On Thursday there will be no Luas service between Connolly and The Point. The Green Line is scheduled to run as normal. Bus commuters should make sure to check the Dublin Bus website for information, as more than 30 routes will be affected, particularly approaching Trinity from the northside, and routes that go through Merrion square.
An Garda Síochána has also warned commuters of exceptionally bad traffic conditions, and to plan accordingly.
