Queen Elizabeth's visit to Ireland will be welcomed by most Irish people, but a core of dissident republican fanatics still pose a real threat to the state visit.

The small but ideologically hard line Real IRA have said they will not stand for it. Interestingly they have threatened almost every major political, sporting and religious group in Ireland to make their point.

In a statement made in Derry's City Cemetery last Sunday the group threatened the Royal Wedding, the queen's visit, the GAA, the Catholic Church and Catholic youth in the North who might wish to join the Police Service of Northern Ireland. They threatened everyone on either side of the Border. At this point it's a wonder they forgot to threaten the non-compliant Irish weather, too.

In response Irish police will place Dublin under severe security restrictions to protect the royal visitors. Road closure orders will be implemented, traffic diversions will be arranged, the homes of residents along the routes the queen will take will be examined.

It's believed that Real IRA have the capability to cause trouble during the visit but Irish police are confident they can assure the queens safety, going so far as to seal off the city's sewers and taking over the city's main CCTV equipment along all the main routes.

Army engineers have already begun welding shut manhole covers along the route, ensuring no on can access them or conceal weapons or explosives under them.

The selected route begins close to the Casement Aerodrome at Baldonnel where the queen is scheduled to arrive on May 17. Two days later she will then make her way along the road to the National Stud which she will visit on May 19.