Government policy document raises concerns over terror attacks
A new Government policy document has raised concerns about the possibility of ‘lone wolf’ terror attacks within our borders.
The Department of Defence white paper, details of which are carried in today's , catalogues threats which could emerge over the coming years – including domestic terrorism, cyber attacks and organised crime.
The document will be discussed in the Dáil this evening, and once more raises the issue of Irish citizens travelling to the Middle East to join militant groups.
This policy white paper, which will be brought to deputies by Simon Coveney, raises a number of concerns about terrorism in Ireland.
Chief among them is the Government’s limited control over isolated attacks, similar to those in Paris and Brussels in recent months.
It once again highlights the threat of "radicalisation", and the number of Irish citizens who have travelled abroad to join groups like Islamic State - which claimed responsibility for the Tunisian shootings, where three Irish people were among the 38 killed.
The document says other European countries’ experience shows the terror threat level can escalate rapidly, and can have a wide range of sources or intensity.
Public Expenditure Minister, Brendan Howlin, said the country must be vigilant, and remember its experience with many decades of attacks by militant groups.
