Pilgrims advised to observe strict papal visit plan

THE garda officer heading the traffic management plan for the papal visit to Knock has reiterated that nobody will gain access to the event next Sunday morning without a ticket.

Superintendent Tom Calvey confirmed a major security operation, involving several hundred gardaí and other personnel, is being mounted to ensure their plan is not breached.

This will involve setting up checkpoints at several strategic locations at which people will be turned back if they don't have accreditation or a ticket.

From 6 p.m. on Saturday the centre of Knock village will be closed (except to residents.

But the biggest focus takes place on the N17 between Charlestown and Claremorris which will be closed from 12 midnight on Saturday until 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Other routes will be used by those with tickets on their way to the official carparks at Ballyhowley, Claremorris Road, Knock, and Cloonlee, Kiltimagh Road, Knock.

In both cases, there is a walk of 4k from the car parks due to the size, scale and location of the event and there will be no shuttle bus facility available between car parks and the event site.

For those opting to drive, it is clear that carpooling and car sharing is essential.

Iarnród Éireann and Bus Éireann will be providing public transport from other locations, however.

A bus shuttle service will operate from Claremorris train station to take people to Knock Shrine. For those who have a ticket for the event, the bus shuttle service will be free.

Pilgrims are advised to join a parish or community coach group or carpool where possible as car park spaces are limited generally.

For those who live and work near Knock, a business and community liaison team is in place to handle queries, working closely with Claremorris Garda Station.

Supt. Calvey emphasised the point that in the event of a car arriving at a checkpoint with four people and only three of them having tickets, then entry will be refused.

"We cannot and won't make any exceptions," he added.

The N17, essentially, has also been designated a strict parking zone for coaches carrying pilgrims from different parts of the country. This will result in the shortest distance to walk to and from the shrine.

It is estimated that 10,000 people will arrive in a fleet of 200 private coaches. This represents a significant percentage of the 45,000 ticket holders.

In other to ensure a smooth traffic flow after Pope Francis's departure, buses returning northway will be parked facing northways and the same will apply for those going in the opposite direction. In other words, there will no no time wasted in turning operations.

Supt. Calvey reiterated there will be no public viewing opportunities at Knock airport.

"It will not be possible for the public to view Pope Francis arriving or departing due to security limitations," he stressed.

Those flying into and out of Ireland West Airport on Sunday will have some access with strict limitations.

Only those named on airline passenger lists and those transporting named passengers will be able to access the airport between 12 midnight on Saturday and 11.30 a.m. on Sunday.

Outbound passengers in particular are advised to allow more travel time than usual as there will be a number of security checks on airport access routes.

It is envisaged that only residents living along the route between the turnout to the airport on the N17 to Knock Shrine will have the opportunity of waving to Pope Francis as he travels the 20k route to and from the airport on Sunday morning in a blue Skoda Rapid.

An incident room has been set up at Claremorris Garda Station for the duration of the papal visit. The contact number is (094) 9372071.