Half-million people on move for busy holiday

More than 500,000 people are expected to travel in and out of the State in the coming days in one of the busiest weekends of the summer.

At least 310,000 passengers are expected to have moved through Dublin airport by Monday night, with 2,000 incoming and outgoing flights scheduled.

Aer Lingus expects to carry 105,000 passengers in and out of the State this weekend.

The Dublin Airport Authority has advised passengers to arrive at the airport at least 90 minutes before their departure time. Passengers can expect queues of at least 25 minutes at the security gates.

Additional security staff are on duty this weekend, and customer service staff are moving around the airport, helping passengers.

Passengers should be ready to remove their shoes, belts and coats as they pass through the security channels.

At least 47,000 passengers will travel through Cork airport this weekend. This will mark a 10 per cent increase on 2004 figures. More than 600 flights will have arrived at and departed from the airport by Monday night.

Shannon airport has seen a 43 per cent increase in passenger numbers during May, compared with 2004. The airport expects to facilitate 40,000 incoming and departing passengers this weekend.

Meanwhile, Stena Line is carrying 44,000 passengers and 12,000 cars in and out of the State this weekend.

Bus and rail services have also been preparing for extra passenger demand. Iarnród Éireann expects to carry 250,000 this weekend, while Bus Éireann is prepared to facilitate 200,000 passengers.

Both companies are operating modified timetables and extra services at peak times.

Details are available on the www.irishrail.ie and www.buseireann.ie websites.

An Garda Síochána has warned motorists that pubs and clubs will be monitored in every part of the State to ensure that people are not drinking and driving.

AA Roadwatch has warned of long delays on the main commuter routes, particularly on the N2 at Ashbourne, the N4 at Enfield and Mullingar and the N6 at Kinnegad and Moate.

Roadworks at Kilcock, Co Kildare, are likely to cause delays to motorists heading west.