Far-right causing ‘huge concern' as counter terror detectives dedicated to probe violent political extremism

Irish Independent

2 days ago

Deputy Commission Justin Kelly also told politicians this afternoon that they have put significant resources into investigating the online activities of these groups.
The Deputy Commissioner for Security, Strategy and Governance was appearing before the Justice Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migrations this afternoon.
He was joined by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and Deputy Commissioner for Operations Shawna Coxon.
During the meeting Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon questioned the senior gardaí about the threat of far-right violence and the garda response to this.
Deputy Commissioner Kelly said that the force has put considerable investment into targeting groups involved in violent political extremism, including investigating their online activity.
Mr Kelly added that they have gardaí in the four regions who can look at activity ahead of a protest to help identify problematic areas, as well as the garda's national security and intelligence network.
'The far-right of course is a huge concern for us,' he said, and that they have officers in the counter terror Special Detective Unit solely dedicated to investigating this. 'That's all they do,' he added.
Deputy Gannon also said that while prosecutions have been brought against people involved in violence during the Dublin Riots in November 2023, he said that those who instigated the violence and have large followings online have got away 'Scot free'.
Commissioner Harris said that part of these investigations includes following through on social media posts and individuals where it could meet the threshold for incitement to violence.
In his opening remarks the Garda chief briefed the committee on issues around recruitment, the operating model, and roads policing.
As of April 3, the organisation's strength stood at 18,194 people, including 14,221 sworn gardaí, 304 reserves, and 3,669 garda staff.
Mr Harris said the rate of resignations has slowed and retirements were at their expected rate, while a small number of gardaí who resigned have since rejoined the force.
In the last recruitment campaign 41pc were over the age of 30, with the force 'determined' to meet the government target of 5,000 gardaí passing through Templemore. He also said they are working out a plan to meet that target which includes looking at accommodation.
The Garda Commissioner also referenced the new operating model which has shifted the organisation's focus from a local district model to a district model.
Its rollout has been condemned by all garda representative bodies for gardaí, sergeants, inspectors, and superintendents.
Mr Harris told the committee that An Garda Síochána's structure was unchanged since 1922 and that this 'was not sustainable' at a time of rapid and constant change in the country. He described it as the biggest organisational change the force has seen, and that it was 'done in order to enhance the service we provide to the public'.
He pointed to the establishment of dedicated protective service units in each division which investigate sexual offences and domestic violence.
In the last two years there have been 67 prosecutions for non-fatal strangulations, 52 for coercive control, and 12 for stalking.
The Garda Commissioner said that this 'great work makes a difference to victims'.
The operating model has also seen a Detective Superintendent appointed to each of the 21 divisions to oversee investigations into serious criminality.
Mr Harris also said that the death of Garda Kevin Flatley on May 14 'serves as a stark reminder of the risks our gardaí face while on duty but also puts into sharp focus the danger that exists on our roads today'.
So far this year 72 people have lost their lives on Irish roads, down 6 from the same time last year, though Mr Harris acknowledged that this reduction 'is no consolation for the bereaved families'.
Over the last 12 months gardaí have rolled out a range of road safety measures including safety cameras, unmarked vehicles, and issuing mobile devices to gardaí to that they have access to the national driver database while on the beat.
Garda Commissioner Harris also told the committee that a cadaver dog was brought in to search for missing Kerry farmer Michael Gaine before his remains were found.
Mr Harris said that the canine searched Mr Gaine's land and farm in the third week of the investigation but gave no indication of anything being there. Mr Gaine was reported missing on March 20 with his remains not found until May 16.
Fianna Fail TD Michael Cahill criticised the Garda response and said that 'there should have been a proper search of the slurry tanks, it seems it didn't happen in this case, and raised concerns about why a review into an active murder probe is taking place.
Mr Harris said it was standard practice that a peer review is undertaken in a murder investigation.
There were also calls during the committee for gardai to retain their own cadaver dog.
Mr Harris yesterday said that they had only been required three times during his seven year tenure.
Politicians were today told that gardai had a cadaver dog until 2012, but found its skills faded because it was not utilised enough. He said there had been considerable effort made to retrain that dog because they work best when consistently used.