Security services brace for possible rise in bomb threats ahead of Dublin summits

Gardaí and Ireland’s security services are on heightened alert for a possible increase in bomb threats and other disruptive incidents in the run‑up to next week’s political summits in Dublin.

Sources say any escalation could involve the placement of suspect devices – potentially hoaxes – intended to ensure the perpetrators are taken seriously and to cause chaos as part of a wider European campaign.

Media outlets, including RTÉ, have already received bomb threats, prompting evacuations and temporary disruption of services. The email claimed to be from the same group behind recent mass bomb threats to aviation, which targeted 30 flights on Thursday and seven on Tuesday, affecting carriers such as Ryanair and Aer Lingus.

The Government has not identified those responsible for the media threats but noted they follow a pattern of aviation disruptions across Europe, suggesting a coordinated campaign. Tánaiste Simon Harris and Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan referred to “hybrid” attacks, while foreign ministers from Spain and Italy described the threats as part of low‑intensity warfare.

The Irish Examiner reported that security services consider it “credible” that Russian intelligence may be behind the coordinated attacks, though proving this is difficult. The Russian Embassy in Dublin has denied any link.

Gardaí’s threat assessment, released last week, rated the likelihood of incidents such as cyber‑attacks, drone incursions, bomb threats or disruptive protests as “substantial” – the third of five security levels – while the risk of a terrorist attack remains low.

Upcoming events include the European Political Community summit on Thursday, hosting 55 heads of state, and the EU Heads of State meeting on Friday, both under Ireland’s EU presidency. Specialist drone police teams from France and the Netherlands will support gardaí, and both the gardaí and Defence Forces are conducting technical and physical surveillance on potential targets.

Source: Irish Examiner. Photo: YL Lew / Pexels.