Taoiseach Simon Harris has warned that Ireland is not immune from the threat of domestic or international terrorism.
Harris made the comments in the wake of reports in the Sunday Times that Garda Commissioner Drew Harris had written to Minister for Justice Helen McEntee to advise her that he has raised the threat level posed by violent political extremists from moderate to substantial.
Harris refused to comment directly on the report but was then asked if he was worried about threats to politicians ahead of the general election to which he replied that we shouldn’t allow "a small group of people to distort who we are as a people".
“I haven’t detected any significant shift from the people of Ireland right across the country, and I think it is important to say that," he told reporters in Carlow on Sunday.
"But of course it is also important to acknowledge that we are a country that faces threats, and we’re not immune from threats from extremism or terrorism, domestic or international."
He said that gardaí are working to make sure a general election will take place in a safe environment.
Gardaí say the overall national threat level is currently moderate which means that a terrorist attack is possible but not likely.
“Any change to the threat level from a specific sub-category and/or group is communicated by the Commissioner directly to the Minister for Justice,” they said in statement.
Meanwhile, the Department of Justice said in a statement: “Ireland, like any other democratic state is not immune from the threat of terrorism or violent political extremism.
The threat from violent political extremism is of concern and continues to evolve."
The Department said gardaí are monitoring potential threats closely.
"Attempts to cause polarisation in society and a fracturing in social cohesion are a consistent and disturbing feature of the narratives spread by those involved.
"All the relevant agencies, including An Garda Síochána and the Defences Forces where needed, co-operate closely in respect of any threats identified that may have adverse implications for the security of the State, and work closely with their international counterparts in identifying and managing threats.
"The overall security threat remains unchanged at moderate," they confirmed.
*This article was originally published on Extra.ie
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