‘Ireland more at risk of IS-style attack’

A leading security expert says Ireland has become more exposed to an Islamic State-style terrorist attacks because of the failure of a government commitment made more than two years ago to double the strength of the country’s elite special forces.

Security expert Dr Tom Clonan said every other country in Europe has beefed up its special forces to react to terrorist attacks and it’s “absolutely essential” that the same is done with the Army Ranger Wing (ARW).

In August 2015, then minister for defence, Simon Coveney, announced that the Government would double the size of the elite force.