Sword Event Guard International, which was founded in Galway six years ago, has won a prestigious contract to supply security services to the new 90,000-seater Wembley Stadium in London in a landmark deal worth €500,000 to the company.

The contract to provide security services to the global home of soccer was awarded to Sword after a highly competitive tendering process.

Diarmuid Smyth.

Sword, which was founded in 2002 and employs some 700 people here and in the UK, was one of several specialist companies awarded the contract to supply stewarding and security staff to the venue.

The award-winning company also has offices in Dublin, Cork and Cardiff.

Sword's Managing Director Diarmuid Smyth said: "This contract is a milestone for the company which has now established itself as Ireland's leading supplier of security, crowd management and risk management services to the international marketplace.

"It is a huge challenge for us to provide security services to one of the largest sports stadiums in the world which was once famously described by soccer legend Pele as the 'church of football' and by David Beckham as 'the ultimate stadium'.

"We're very proud of the fact that Sword was successful in securing the contract in the re-tendering process against competition from other security companies that had already been in place for a year at Wembley Stadium.

"Wembley conducted the original tender process during the construction of the stadium and Sword was the only non-UK-based company to be short-listed and finally awarded one of the few coveted contracts.

"All staff who work on site are required to undergo a strict vetting procedure in this high-profile venue.

"In addition, staff are trained in a specifically designed programme developed by the UK Football Association", concluded Mr Smyth.

Sword runs its UK operation from an office adjacent to the Wembley stadium.

The €500,000 contract for Wembley Stadium is for one year after which it will be re-issued for tender.

Sword now provides security services to most of Dublin's five-star luxury hotels and to high-profile music and sporting events. The company also provides services to Galway businesses such as the Radisson Hotel, the Galway Races and Jury's Inn.

Well-known luxury hotels on the company's client list include the Ritz Carlton in Powerscourt, Co Wicklow; the Shelbourne Hotel, Westin Hotel, Westbury Hotel, Gresham Hotel and Camden Court Hotel in Dublin.

Among the other high-profile events for which Sword has provided security include the MCD events in Slane, Marley Park and Croke Park; the Oxegen Festival; and the Glastonbury Festival in England.

Sword also provides security services for venues such as the Ambassador, the Olympia, the Helix and the Point Depot in Dublin, and for retail outlets such as Aldi stores nationwide.