It is understood that a contingency plan is in place for the unlikely event that an attempt would be made on the President’s life. The Secret Service also have diplomatic immunity which will allow them to shoot to kill a would-be assassin without fear of prosecution.
As part of the “evacuation route” plan, they would be able to spirit the President by chopper to one of the carriers where a jet is on standby to take him back to the United States.
A source said: “It sounds like James Bond stuff but the Americans treat the personal protection of their President with the utmost seriousness.
“They have plans in place for all possible incidents, despite how unlikely they might seem or how much security is already in place.
“They have moved the aircraft carriers in place as a precautionary measure as part of those plans.” The warships are no stranger to Irish shores — a US aircraft carrier was filmed at Culdaff Beach in Inishowen, Co Donegal just last Christmas, with the footage posted on YouTube.
President Obama will be staying at the Lough Erne Resort in Enniskillen in a suite for the G8. His wife Michelle and their daughters Malia and Sasha will accompany him to Belfast’s Waterfront Hall on Monday morning before they travel to Dublin.
It isn’t yet known if the family will do a short walkabout and greet the public in Belfast tomorrow.
While in Dublin, with Secret Service agents guarding the family, the US First Lady will visit Trinity College where she will explore archives documenting the Obamas’ Irish ancestry.