O'Dea: Ireland no target for terror

THE Government has sought to reassure the public that the threat of a terrorist attack on Ireland remains low in the aftermath of yesterday's terrorist atrocity in central London.

Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea has convened a special meeting of the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning for next Wednesday in response to the bomb explosions in Britain.

However, Mr O'Dea reassured people that the perceived threat of Ireland becoming a target for terrorists remained unchanged, despite yesterday's events.

"I have no reason to believe that the situation will change. However, it is vital that as a group we re-evaluate Ireland's position in light of what has happened," said Mr O'Dea.

He expressed confidence that the country's "excellent" intelligence and security measures were sufficient to handle any threat posed by terrorist groups.

A special meeting of the National Security Council attended by the Garda Commissioner, Noel Conroy and Chief-of-Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant-General Jim Sreenan and top-ranking civil servants was also held yesterday to review the situation.

Major emergency plans are in place in all local authority areas involving the fire brigade, An Garda and the health services.

A series of major exercises to test the response of emergency services to a full-scale alert was scheduled to take place over the last few months.

While one exercise went ahead in Youghal, Co Cork, two further drills were cancelled as a result of the schools bus accident near Navan, Co Meath, in which five schoolgirls were killed.

Meanwhile, an overflight by three Air Corps aircraft over central Dublin yesterday afternoon was called off after a brief exercise as some onlookers were alarmed by the presence of military airplanes in skies above the city.

However, military sources later confirmed that it was part of a scheduled training exercise in preparation for a National Day of Commemoration ceremony in Dublin on Sunday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has decided against advising people to avoid travelling to Britain following yesterday's terrorist attack on London.

However, a spokesperson said it was encouraging Irish people who were planning to travel to London in the next few days to follow the advice of the British authorities.

UK security services are urging all members of the public to remain vigilant, especially if using public transport in London.