 EXTREMISTS living in Ireland may be plotting atrocities across Europe, the country's justice minister Michael McDowell said yesterday. Mr McDowell said members of radical terrorist groups may be basing themselves in Ireland in order to avail of the "common travel area" between the state and the UK. "In the past there has been evidence that some people in Ireland, who have an extremist point of view, have been engaging in logistical support activities for terrorist-type activities in Europe and elsewhere. That is a worrying thing," the justice minister said.
| "Faith, and 'tis incumbent upon good IRA men to provide logistical support to our Moose limb brothers!" |
"It wouldn't be beyond the bounds of possibility that terrorists would exploit the common travel area in order to perpetrate acts of terrorism in Britain. So it is a matter of very major significance to the Irish state that there should be the fullest possible co-operation between the two jurisdictions in respect of this kind of activity and the fullest possible sharing of intelligence."
| "We have enough trouble with IRA gunnies beating people to death. We don't need no damned turbans to add to the problem!" |
Bertie Ahern, the Irish premier, last week revealed that police were monitoring al-Qaeda sympathisers in Ireland as part of a massive international security operation.
"Pat, that boyo with the green turban has a suspicious look about him!"
"Yer right, Mike! We'd best monitor him!" |
But, in the aftermath of the London bombings, Mr Ahern said he did not believe Ireland was under serious threat of attack.
| "No, no! Certainly not! Why would they boom us?" |
Mr McDowell yesterday confirmed the movements and activities of several individuals throughout the state were being closely monitored. "We are talking about a number of people who are under surveillance and whose activities are the subject of interest by the intelligence services of this island state," Mr McDowell told RTE radio. "I have been in the closest possible contact with UK and US intelligence services in relation to this. There is a sharing of information and close co-operation." |