‘Pipe bomb’ discovery sparks IRA fears as POTUS touches down in UK

Joe Biden greeted by Sunak as he arrives in Northern Ireland

Security fears in Northern Ireland have been ramped up after President Joe Biden touched down in Belfast last night, after police recovered pipe bombs from a cemetery in Londonderry. Despite the POTUS having no plans to visit the town, a major security operation has had to be put in place for the President’s visit.

More than 300 additional police officers have been directed to the country from the rest of the UK, and Police Service Northern Ireland (PSNI) has prepared a “ring of steel” around President Biden’s visit, warning of significant traffic disruption in the capital Belfast.

Four suspected pipe bombs were discovered and recovered from the City Cemetery in Creggan yesterday, the day after an Easter Monday Republican commemoration.

The parade saw petrol bombs thrown at an armoured police van, with the PSNI appealing for calm.

PSNI said no officers had been injured in the violent scenes, though noted the police had not been notified about plans for the parade making it unlawful.

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Northern Ireland Police Service issues public guidance

The PSNI has issued advice to the public who may be travelling to Belfast to catch a glimpse of the President.

A spokesperson for the service said “Those attending the event or those wishing to watch the motorcade should make sensible provisions for parking, walking to the venue or attending designated viewing areas.”

At least eight roads in the capital have been closed for the visit.

A spokesperson for Northern Ireland’s bus and rail services, Translink, also issued a statement.

“Due to the US Presidential visit, passengers are advised to expect some service disruption, diversions and delays in and around Belfast City Centre on Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th April 2023.”

DUP warns it won’t bow to pressure from ‘anti-British’ Joe Biden

The DUP has issued a warning that they won’t bow to pressure from Joe Biden over returning to power sharing at Stormont.

The party accused the president of being “anti-British” over numerous references to his Irish heritage during his career.

Sir Tony Blair has warned Joe Biden not to put “futile pressure” on the DUP to return to Stormont.

The former PM, who negotiated the original Good Friday Agreement, warned that any “gaffes” by President Biden emphasising his Irish heritage would undermine faith in his visit, and his endorsement of the Windsor Framework, among unionists.

Timings of bilateral meeting with Rishi Sunak announced

The President and Prime Minister will hold a bilateral meeting this morning, before Joe Biden delivers a speech at Ulster University at 1pm.

The coffee between the two leaders will take place at around 11am, with No. 10 confirming there will be no press conference afterwards.

He is set to also meet with the leaders of Northern Ireland’s five main political parties in the hope of breaking the deadlock at Stormont and getting the Assembly back up and running.

Joe Biden wakes up in Belfast after touching down late last night

Joe Biden touched down in Belfast late light night on Air Force One, and was greeted by Rishi Sunak.

President Biden was filmed embracing the Prime Minister, as he introduced his wife Jill and son Hunter.

Joe Kennedy III, Joe Biden’s pick for US envoy to Northern Ireland, is also on the official trip.

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