30 Irish gone to Syria and Iraq wars

Gardaí are aware of an estimated 30 Irish people who have gone to fight in war zones in Syria and Iraq, with the potential that some may pose a terrorist threat.

Senior members of the force are following the situation in France closely and are in contact with international police and intelligence agencies.

Concern has been growing among European governments regarding the radicalisation of EU citizens fighting with extremist Islamic armies in Syria and Iraq and the potential threat they pose on returning home. At a meeting last month of EU justice ministers, Frances Fitzgerald said criminal justice systems were “grappling with this complex issue”. She said the EU Council had discussed a wide range of preventative measures, focusing on “radicalisation and recruitment”.