Report highlights terrorism risks in Ireland amid warning of ‘broader’ threats
By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association
Islamist terrorism is a “significant cause of concern” in Ireland, according to a security review.
The Independent Examiner for Security Legislation said the Government said there has been a number of Islamist terror attacks within recent years and warned that the Government needs to consider the threat of terrorist activity from so-called “lone wolves”.
In his first annual report, George Bermingham said it is also a concern that a terror attack on a “neighbouring jurisdiction” could be planned or launched from Ireland.
Bermingham said that the threats faced by the country have broadened from an almost exclusive focus on the IRA.
The former Court of Appeal president said: “The threat the country faces has evolved and broadened in recent years.
“While for much of the State’s history, security concerns, and certainly security legislation focused primarily, indeed almost exclusively, on the threat to the State posed by the IRA in its various manifestations.
“Now the threats are multipronged. Dissident republicans remain a real concern even more than 27 years after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, but the threats we face are far broader now.
“Today, Islamist terrorism is a significant cause of concern, either because of the possibility of attacks within this jurisdiction – and there have been a number of such attacks within the past number of years – and also the possibility of an attack on a neighbouring jurisdiction being planned or launched from this State.”
He added: “There is also the question of extreme right-wing terrorism as well as single issue terrorism and extreme left-wing terrorism.
“There is also unease about the activities of hostile state actors.
“The possibility of actions undertaken by so-called ‘lone wolves’, whether motivated by terrorist ideology or not, also requires consideration.”
Bermingham said this presents a “complex and concerning” picture where legislation should be kept under continuous review.
The aim of the Independent Examiner is to provide the public with confidence that the objectives of security legislation are being achieved without “unwarranted intrusion on human rights and civil liberties”.
Bermingham also provided a series of recommendations, including developing a legislative basis for the interception of digital communications and expanding postal interception to courier services.
