Garda Commissioner Warns of Rising Threats from Extremism in Ireland
Dublin: Newly appointed Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly has warned that radical Islamism, along with other forms of extremism, is emerging as a serious security concern in Ireland. Speaking at his first press conference since taking office, Commissioner Kelly stressed that the country must not underestimate the risks posed by political and religious extremism.
“Radical Islamism remains one of the significant challenges facing Ireland today. There have been incidents in this country motivated by religion, and this issue must be taken seriously,” he said. The Commissioner delivered a sharp critique of political Islam, noting its potential to destabilise Ireland despite its relatively small presence.
Government data shows that Muslims account for around 2% of the population, though unofficial estimates suggest the figure, including those unregistered or living under false identities, could be closer to 5%. Kelly suggested that radical networks within these communities are attempting to undermine social stability.
At the same time, the Commissioner emphasised that the threat is not confined to one group. “Whether from far-right or left-wing political extremism, once an ideology translates into violence, the Gardaí will respond decisively,” he said.
Kelly highlighted the work of the Special Detective Unit and Counter-Terrorism Units in addressing emerging threats and confirmed that Garda operations would soon include body-worn cameras and Taser devices to enhance public and officer safety.
He further underlined that domestic violence, organised crime, gang activity, rural crime, and cybercrime will remain top priorities for law enforcement.
Concluding his remarks, the Commissioner cautioned that both religious and political extremism pose risks to Ireland’s peace and stability, urging vigilance and preparedness in the face of evolving threats.
Irish Samachar English News
Comments are closed.