Ireland is expected to rely on security support from other European states during its upcoming EU presidency, amid warnings that drone-related attacks could pose a serious risk.
The concerns come as gardaí have indicated they are prepared to “teach the Government a lesson” by refusing to police events linked to the presidency unless ongoing disputes over pay and working conditions are resolved, reports The Mirror.
The Garda Representative Association (GRA) has also suggested that the force could classify up to 71 events as “extraordinary” during the six-month presidency period.
If implemented, this would mean officers’ rest days could be cancelled to ensure sufficient policing resources are available on the ground, reports The Mirror.
It is understood that Ireland may require assistance from foreign police forces with anti-drone technology, as visiting VIPs and political figures are expected to arrive in large numbers during the second half of the year.
Dublin MEP Barry Andrews has previously expressed concern about Ireland’s vulnerability during the presidency.
Speaking in the European Parliament in Brussels this week, the Fianna Fáil politician said countries such as Denmark and Belgium have “far more sophisticated defence and military capacity”, yet still faced attacks while holding the presidency of the EU Council, reports The Mirror.
Unidentified drones were detected flying over Dublin Bay at around the same time Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at Dublin Airport, with Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan suggesting they were not hobbyist devices but “generated for the purpose of putting pressure on EU and Ukrainian interests”, reports The Mirror.
The MEP said: “The Danes actually got help in as well during their presidency. I’m not getting a sense that doesn’t seem to be happening, but I don’t get a sense that people are worried about coming to Ireland,” reports The Mirror.
“I think they’re just aware of the under investment over the years. But Zelensky showed us that these things can happen, and we have to be super careful about it and be on our guard,” reports The Mirror.
It takes around three years of preparation for a country to assume the six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union, a role that will involve more than 250 events and an estimated 30,000 visitors when Ireland takes over from July 1, reports The Mirror.
The presidency is a major logistical and security undertaking for any state, with concerns now heightened following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, reports The Mirror.
The European Political Community summit, which will bring together leaders from 47 countries in Dublin, is expected to be one of the largest security operations ever mounted in the State.
Ireland will assume the presidency from Cyprus, with an EU official noting that requests for assistance from other member states are not unusual, reports The Mirror.
Sean Kelly said he is “to a certain extent” concerned about security risks during the presidency but believes the EU can assess any weaknesses across member states.
He added: “I wouldn’t have any doubts, really…Candour is a good kind of surveillance intelligence body here in Europe, and I think they would have a good assessment if there was a risk, if they thought there was a risk, they’d be taking action,” reports The Mirror.
“So I think it’s a question of working together. But we do not have enough defence mechanisms ourselves, so at the moment, we work on it. So that’s all we can do, we can’t change it overnight,” reports The Mirror.
A senior EU official said Ireland must approach the presidency in a “very clever way” given its policy of neutrality.
Before the six-month term begins in July, they said Ireland must look “absolutely” at how EU member states can be better coordinated on defence and security, and how cooperation can reduce duplication of systems and spending, reports The Mirror.
They added: “How do we join the dots so that you have better infrastructure and mobility across the EU and how do we make sure that all these problems lately with Russian drones incursions into European airspace?”, reports The Mirror.
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