Radicalisation of young Muslim men a ‘major threat’

Cormac O’Keeffe

He said Europe faced the prospect of “spontaneous cells” that can form and strike suddenly by virtue of information, such as bomb-making skills, available on the internet.

Mr McDowell was speaking at the signing of international agreements on crime and terrorism between Ireland and the US with the American ambassador James C Kenny.

“The radicalisation of young people along jihadist lines is a major threat and it requires a sophisticated response, not just a knee-jerk bludgeon response, to cut off the ideas and ideology that is leading to the kind of spontaneous mutation of thinking.”

He said that, on a visit to CIA headquarters in Langley, Virginia, he learned of emerging terrorist threats.

“The jihadist terrorist threat is not just a central organisation, with a central consciousness. One of the issues that was raised there was the whole issue of spontaneous cells by reference to material that is available on the internet, combining together to carry out jihadist terrorist acts of the kind that took place in London.”

He said there was 25,000 Muslim people in Ireland and that 99.9% of them would have “nothing but contempt” for the actions that were taken in London.

US ambassador Mr Kenny said the agreements signed with Ireland, on extradition and mutual assistance, strengthened the resolve of both countries to deal with terror and crime.

“As last week’s bombings in London showed all too well, terrorists can and will strike wherever they are able and they will take advantage of our open societies, our tolerance, and our ease of access to undermine our shared values. The United States and Ireland have cooperated in the global war on terrorism, and we value the support we have had in this effort.”

Mr McDowell said the agreements enhanced cooperation to deal with international crimes such as terrorism, drug trafficking and fraud. The agreements will allow the governments to form joint investigative teams, take testimony by video link, search for suspect foreign-located bank accounts and replace extradition arrangements.

Mr McDowell said there were provisions to ensure that no one extradited from Ireland to the US could face the death penalty, nor would anyone be sent to Guantanamo or tried in military tribunals.

Commenting on the emergency EU justice council meeting on Wednesday, Mr McDowell said there was strong support for internet and phone data retention proposals backed by Britain, Ireland, France and Sweden.