The leader of a small IS network in Ireland is one of the Garda’s top targets in the country.
The middle-eastern man, who is believed to be in his 50’s, is classified as a major terrorist suspect by international counter-terrorism agencies. The man and his small network of IS members in Ireland are subject to continuing surveillance by a specialist Garda unit known as Counter Terrorism International (CTI).
The man is currently claiming social welfare payments in Ireland as he is unemployed. A number of the men involved in the group, including the leader, face arrest in other countries if they leave this jurisdiction.
While the members of the IS network did not pose a threat to security here they were believed to provide logistical support to radicalised young western-born men intent on travelling to Syria to fight for the terror organisation.
The identity of the leader has not been revealed and pictures of him have been pixellated. He is suspected of procuring false documents and passports as well as providing small sums of cash to pay for travel.
