The Garda Commissioner has said that there has been an increase in violent political extremism and gardaí were monitoring the activities of a small number of activists who were seeking the capacity for and wanted to take violent action.
Justin Kelly said the numbers involved were small but they had the potential to become involved in “dangerous” activities and they continue to assess the risk level which is currently at “moderate”.
The commissioner also said there was a difference between violence and threats and hate speech online, but pointed out that people often say things they do not intend or more importantly do not have the capability to do.
The Taoiseach has said that violent political extremism has moved from an individual to an organised approach to undermine the State.
Micheál Martin said we have seen increased hostility online and threats to people in public life which are very concerning and has the capacity to have a chilling effect on public debate.
He described a threat to society about which he is “very concerned”.
“We have seen what happened in Drogheda, we have seen attempts on IPAS centres, I’m aware of individuals who have been threatened, whose families have been threatened and this is a strong basis for saying this has moved on,” Mr Martin said.
“We have values in this country,” he said “and the idea that children were endangered in Drogheda and Citywest is unacceptable”.
The Minister for Justice also said he was very concerned about details that have been disclosed in court but said he was very encouraged by the work of the gardaí.
Commissioner Kelly said he wanted to reassure the public that there were a lot of dedicated and professional police officers involved in monitoring and investigating violent political extremism, along with the garda’s international law enforcement partners.
He was speaking at the graduation of 197 gardaí and 17 reserves at the Garda College in Templemore.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly is pictured with garda graduates in Templemore
These include a former producer with RTÉ’s Crimecall programme, Kristina Courtney, and former RTÉ/TG4 reporter Amy Ní Riada.
Also among the graduates was the oldest ever garda graduate, Jerimiah Bourke, who is 51 years old.
Commissioner Kelly also said he believes the Government’s target of 5,000 new gardaí in five years can be achieved.
He said there are 14,325 gardaí, 200 more than last year and that the resignation level of 1% is well below that of other police forces and the private sector.
Over 220 new trainees will enter the Garda College on Monday week, the largest class in ten years.