Russia involved in spying in Ireland, says senior garda

A Garda dog unit on the Malahide Road, Coolock where protests at the former Crown Paint factory have turned violent. Picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

Russia is one of a few countries that is spying in Ireland, while social media is a “rich breeding ground” for extremists leading to violence like that seen in Coolock, a top garda has said.

Assistant Commissioner Michael McElgunn, who heads the gardaí’s Security and Intelligence Bureau, said that Russia is among a number of states seeking to support extremists’ groups here and create mistrust in the Government.