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.

He told RTÉ’s This Week programme that gardaí are particularly worried about countries in involved in espionage in Ireland and who may be attempting to steal secrets from the Irish State and from industries here.

"We have a duty to investigate and manage the threats from hostile states and that includes espionage in the State,” Mr McElgunn said. “We are committed to monitoring the particular threats. Russia is one of those countries we have an interest in.

“I’m cautious. Ireland maintains diplomatic relations with these countries. However, if we look at events in Salisbury, in the UK and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, I don’t think too many people would be surprised if I was to say Russia was one of these states.” 

The assistant commissioner also said that gardaí are monitoring the activities of China in Ireland, despite the countries having good diplomatic relations.

Violent extremism

Mc McElgunn said social media is enabling violent extremism, and he expects threats against politicians to increase.

Far-right activists, meanwhile, are using social media which is a “very valuable tool” for such individuals while gardaí believe a small group of people are acting as “influencers and extremists” who want to create division in society.

“If [you look at something] that is related to terrorism or violent political extremism on the left or right, it will show you more and more of that material until you are drawn into an echo chamber where there’s no counter narrative," he said.

"You’re only stuck with this world view and that is a rich breeding ground for the extremists. This is where they will harvest more and more of their people.” 

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Mr McElgunn said there are a “relatively low” number of “key individuals” operating here.

He said extremists are driving violence like in Coolock or the Dublin riots but are “cautious” and can bring things “to the line but not over the line”.

“We are watching closely,” he said. “We will intervene from a national security perspective once they go over the line.”