Ninety-ninth edition of the N&O column / Spooks newsletter

(Date: Sun, 02 Oct 2005 23:01:18 +0200)

Intelligence profile : Ireland

Background

Celtic tribes settled on the island from 600-150 B.C. Invasions by Norsemen that began in the late 8th century were finally ended when King Brian BORU defeated the Danes in 1014. English invasions began in the 12th century and set off more than seven centuries of Anglo-Irish struggle marked by fierce rebellions and harsh repressions. A failed 1916 Easter Monday Rebellion touched off several years of guerrilla warfare that in 1921 resulted in independence from the UK for 26 southern counties; 6 northern (Ulster) counties remained part of the United Kingdom. In 1948 Ireland withdrew from the British Commonwealth; it joined the European Community in 1973. Irish governments have sought the peaceful unification of Ireland and have cooperated with Britain against terrorist groups. A peace settlement for Northern Ireland, known as the Good Friday Agreement and approved in 1998, is being implemented with some difficulties.

General

Country	:	Republic of Ireland (Ireland )
Capital	:	Dublin
Administrative divisions	:	26 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Limerick, Longford, Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, Wicklow.
Note	:	Cavan, Donegal, and Monaghan are part of Ulster Province.

Military, security & intelligence

Military branches: Army (including Naval Service and Air Corps)
- Irish Intelligence and Security Agencies:
- G-3 Military Intelligence Branch of the Army
- Sciathán Fianóglach an Airm
- An Garda Siochana
  - Special Services
  - Security & Intelligence
  - Special Detective Unit (SDU)
- Emergency Response Unit

Óglaigh nah-Éireann (Irish Defence Forces)

Two Irish intelligence units are within Óglaigh nah-Éireann;

The G-3 Military Intelligence Branch of the Irish Defence Forces
Military Intelligence. The most secretive unit, it is known to have a liaison relationship with Britain's SIS and MI5 and the USA's FBI and CIA.
Sciathán Fianóglach an Airm (Army Ranger Wing).
This unit is quite similar to Britain's SAS. The missions of this unit are multiple, including long range patrolling, training of other units, VIP security, anti-hijacking, hostage rescue, and counter-terrorism. These duties, specifically as they related to counter-terrorism, are considered supplemental to Ireland's primary response unit, the Garda Siochana.

An Garda Siochana (Guardians of the Peace).

Ireland's National Police Service which has primary responsibility for law and order, including the protection of the internal security of the State. The state is divided in 23 policing divisions. The Deputy Commissioner of Operations is responsible for the following units:

Special Services
Security & Intelligence
Special Detective Unit (SDU)

The Special Services (Operational Support Unit) consists of four units who provide specialist support to operational Gardai throughout the country. These units are;

Garda Air Support Unit
Garda Mounted Unit
Garda Water Unit
Garda Dog Unit

Security and Intelligence.

The activity of the Security and Intelligence section involves the monitoring of trends in subversive and criminal activity in the State. This section is also involved in the collection of intelligence on national and international terrorism, and has organised international conferences and seminars on international Policing issues.

Special Detective Unit (SDU)

The Special Detective Unit deals with matters pertaining to the security of the State, and aims at combating the activities of unlawful groups within the State, with a particular focus on anti-terrorism. While operating within the legal framework of the State and current Garda Síochána Regulations, the Unit is capable of effectively resolving any situation where armed resistance is known or anticipated and providing an effective armed protection service to persons categorised as ‘high risk’ by Assistant Commissioner, Crime and Security.

Emergency Response Unit (ERU)

The ERU replaced the various Divisional Task Forces from the 1980's. These Divisions were targeted at the IRA and violent crime. The ERU specialises in arresting IRA members and dealing with bank robberies, armed raids, etc.

Sources / Further readings

Statewatching the new Europe (http://www.statewatch.org)
CIA World Factbook
Federation of American Scientists (FAS) (http://www.fas.org)
Eye Spy magazine (http://www.eyespymag.com)
An Garda Siochana website (http://www.garda.ie)
Sciathán Fianóglach an Airm website (http://www.military.ie)