McEntee says Ireland ‘absolutely prepared’ for security threats ahead of EU summits

The defence minister said gardaí and the Defence Forces were ready as Ireland prepares to host two major European political meetings

Tanaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris with party deputy leader and Foreign Affairs Minister Helen McEntee speaking to the media reporters ahead of the Fine Gael ard fheis in Cork City. Picture: Press Association

Defence minister Helen McEntee has said the Government is “absolutely prepared to respond to any type of risk or threat” as European leaders arrive in Dublin next week.

Her comments follow concerns raised after bomb hoaxes targeting media organisations in Dublin on Friday, as well as threats against planes across Europe earlier this week.

As reported by the Irish Examiner on Saturday, Ireland’s security services are preparing for a potential escalation in bomb threats and other disruptive incidents in the run-up to next week’s political summits in Dublin.

The escalation could involve the planting of actual suspect devices — possibly hoax devices — to ensure those behind the attacks are “taken seriously” by the Irish public and Government.

The purpose, according to sources, is to try to “cause chaos” as part of a wider campaign across Europe.

Dublin will host the European Political Community meeting on Thursday, followed by the informal meeting of European heads of state on Friday. More than 50 leaders are expected to travel to the capital for the events.

Speaking in Cork at the Fine Gael ard fheis, Ms McEntee said Ireland and its security services were ready for the events.

“In terms of next week, I believe that we are absolutely prepared to respond to any type of risk or threat,” the Defence Minister said.

“I think the last few days have shown just that. I believe that the work that our gardaí, again with our Defence Forces, with all of our agencies, the work they've done over the last number of months throughout the presidency has shown just how capable and able they are.

“I have every confidence in them in the week ahead, and indeed in the remaining few months during our presidency.”

Gardaí leading security operation

Ms McEntee said gardaí were leading security operations for the presidency and would “work closely with our partners and our allies as well, across a number of services and agencies”.

She continued: “I don't think anybody can rule that out at this moment in time. But what our authorities are trying to understand, from our aviation authorities, our safety agency as well across the EU, is whether all of this is interconnected and linked, and then where was it coming directly from?” 

Ms McEntee said it was “hard to tell at this early stage” who was responsible for the hoax bomb threats against media organisations on Friday.

However, she said it was known that there were “more hybrid attacks”, many of which were “being attributed directly to Russia”.

She praised the gardaí’s response to the threats and said it was “really important” that “we get to the bottom of who was responsible”.

 - Louise Burne, Political Correspondent