Bomb threat on eve of Queen's visit to Ireland

LONDON: Police received a bomb threat for central London from Irish republican paramilitaries, a day before a historic visit by the Queen to Ireland, Scotland Yard said.

''A bomb threat warning has been received relating to central London today. The threat is not specific in relation to location or time,'' a Scotland Yard spokesman said yesterday.

''We believe the threat is in connection with dissident republican terrorism.''

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Police closed a major road leading to Buckingham Palace for several hours but a search found nothing suspicious, while there was also a controlled explosion of a suitcase nearby.

The idea of armed British officers operating in Ireland was initially ruled out, but the Irish government has agreed to let 120 Metropolitan Police officers carry guns. It is the first time a British monarch has visited Ireland since 1911 and the city centre will be turned into a car-free zone to prevent car bombs.

Republican terrorists have pledged to disrupt the tour.

The first day of the visit coincides with the 37th anniversary of the bloodiest day of the Troubles, in which 34 people were killed in four car bombs in Dublin and Monaghan.

Irish police will have to deal with attempts by the radical republican group Eirigi to occupy the Garden of Remembrance in Dublin, the memorial to Irish people killed in the struggle for independence, where the Queen is due to lay a wreath today. The group has threatened to set up a ''freedom camp'' in the memorial garden .

Mrs McAleese said the trip was emblematic of the progress that has been made between the two countries. Her comments came as unprecedented steps were taken to ensure all runs smoothly.

She said: ''[It is] a phenomenal sign and signal of the success of the peace process and absolutely the right moment for us to welcome on to Irish soil her majesty the Queen, the head of state of our immediate next-door neighbours.''

The Irish Prime Minister, Enda Kenny, said the Queen should expect a warm reception from the majority of people.