President Mary McAleese’s chauffeur-driven State Mercedes was sent on a 400 mile round trip so she could be driven just 150 yards to the door of Letterkenny Institute of Technology.
The car was sent on the huge round-trip journey on Thursday last when the President helped celebrate the 40th anniversary of the college.
The President, on her last official trip to Donegal, arrived by helicopter around 11am.
However her car had to be driven via Sligo for the two minute journey form the college football pitch to the front door of the campus because Gardai cannot cross the border.
The estimated cost of the journey including the President’s helicopter has been put at over €3,000.
The President was flown on to Co Meath for a golf competition but her car had to be driven back to Dublin after its 300 yard official function.
The Irish Mail on Sunday claimed a number of onlookers were shocked to see President McAleese being met by A Mercedes car for the short walk to the College entrance.
“It surely wouldn’t have been too much just to walk,” said one eye-witness.
A spokesman for President McAleese’s office said “Plans for the President’s travel arrangements are determined by security and programming considerations.”
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