Gardai are planning a counter terror operation for St Patrick's Day in the city.

They want to limit the scope for an attack like the ones that have taken place in London and Nice.

According to The Irish Times at least 20 large vehicles, including fire trucks, will be parked at strategic locations along the parade route through the city centre.

The Armed and Emergency Response Units will also be on standby on the off-chance they're needed this weekend.

Gardai stress there's no specific intelligence or threat to the St Patrick's Day festivities, but that the anti terror operation is a reflection of the times we live in.

It's understood the measures are being built into the regular policing plan, to limit the chance of an atrocity like the lorry attack in Nice on Bastille Day in 2016.