Government report warns of growing concern over far-right extremism in Ireland

A Garda van burns in a protest last year that was promoted by far-right groups. Picture: Sasko Lazarov

There is “growing concern” in Ireland at the rise in right-wing extremism and its ideological and financial links to far-right nationalist movements abroad, a government risk assessment has said.

The report flags the high-profile involvement of prominent British and US far-right players and influencers in domestic politics and protests, including arson attacks.

The recently published national risk assessment says that, while the threat from “terrorist financing” is assessed as “low”, the picture is complicated by a growing concern over criminality funding terrorism and violent extremism.

“The key trend in this area is growing evidence of trans-national links between hyper-nationalist movements, facilitated by a toxic online environment on non-mainstream social media platforms,” the assessment said.

“International links between right-wing extremist groups are a matter of increasing concern.”

The 300-page document is focused on “money laundering, terrorist financing, and proliferation financing”, and was conducted by law enforcement agencies, regulators, and the private sector.

On the threat from the far right, it said: “Irish far-right groups increasingly draw ideological and tactical influence from international actors, including British and American extremists, which has resulted in anti-immigration protests and arson attacks targeting migrant accommodation.”

The document highlights the link to international financing of domestic extremist movements, stating: “Evidence has emerged of online fundraising activities, often involving cryptocurrencies, by Irish far-right influencers.”

It said a terrorism report by Europol, the EU police agency, underscored the threat, noting the increasing use of online propaganda to radicalise and mobilise support.

The assessment said the “international connectivity” of right-wing extremist groups “amplifies” the potential threat of a right-wing terrorist attack.

The report also warned about the danger of authorities being “gender-blind” and underestimating the role of women.

“Evidence from other regions shows that women have increasingly been used as financial facilitators, cash couriers, or intermediaries in online fundraising campaigns, often due to lower scrutiny or cultural assumptions,” it said.

It pointed out that republican paramilitary groups have historically exploited gender bias in their activities.

The assessment said there is an “increasing risk” of online radicalisation and recruitment targeting minors and adults by terrorist groups using alternative internet platforms and encrypted chat applications and requiring little to no financial backing.

“Their independence from formal networks makes traditional counter-terrorism tools, like financial monitoring, less effective,” it said.

It said, in August 2024, a 16-year-old boy in Galway carried out a knife attack on a member of the Defence Forces after being radicalised online through extremist Islamist content, including IS propaganda.

The report said that, according to the Global Terrorism Index 2025, one in five persons arrested for terrorism in Europe is legally a minor.

The assessment said that, in many cases, such minors are likely to rely on someone else’s financial resources, adding: “Of particular concern is the increasing use of gaming platforms to influence minors and adults to exploit the platforms to disseminate propaganda, recruit members, incite and engage in radicalisation activities, communicate, and sometimes fundraise.”

“Against the backdrop of the already visible trend regarding the lower age of radicalised individuals, the use of AI by terrorist groups might pose a particular risk in the recruitment and radicalisation of young people, including through more targeted and tailored propaganda.”