Intelligence servuces operating in Ireland

FireFoxBoy

I read an article in the Star newspaper about British Intelligence services monitoring jihadis in Ireland. Just wondering why there are no laws against British Intelligence operating in Ireland. After all we're a sovereign country.

Really Interested

FireFoxBoy wrote: »

I read an article in the Star newspaper about British Intelligence services monitoring jihadis in Ireland. Just wondering why there are no laws against British Intelligence operating in Ireland. After all we're a sovereign country.

They do not have to be in Ireland to monitor anyone anywhere. Also there is intelligence sharing between different services.

https://www.thesun.ie/news/922236/two-people-arrested-on-suspicion-of-terrorism-offences-in-waterford-city/

The gardai have been working with international agencies who monitor chatter and these two suspects sent alarm bells going because of the contacts they were in touch with abroad.

Donal55

FireFoxBoy wrote: »

I read an article in the Star newspaper about British Intelligence services monitoring jihadis in Ireland. Just wondering why there are no laws against British Intelligence operating in Ireland. After all we're a sovereign country.

I spose when the UK are looking after our Air and Sea defence our sovereignty flies out the window.

ArmaniJeanss

FireFoxBoy wrote: »

I read an article in the Star newspaper about British Intelligence services monitoring jihadis in Ireland. Just wondering why there are no laws against British Intelligence operating in Ireland. After all we're a sovereign country.

Bit of a grey area at most - they (the MI5 agents) are entitled to be here as British citizens, they are entitled to follow people coming from Clonskeagh mosque (or wherever) and see where they go and who they meet, and entitled to report any findings back to people in London. As long as they do all that whilst obeying the laws of Ireland then I don't see an issue.

No sovereignty problem either, or if there is it's not uniquely an Irish one. Little doubt that equivalent MI5 agents will be operating in Moscow, Beijing, Paris, New York etc. 'Cultural Attache' is a favoured cover for such people apparently when they work in non-ally countries.

MysticMonk

We should thank them for it

FireFoxBoy

MysticMonk wrote: »

We should thank them for it

Should we?

kippy

FireFoxBoy wrote: »

Should we?

Yeah - we should.
The British help us out in many areas of security and defense as well as, outlined already, search and rescue and many other areas.

Peregrinus

FireFoxBoy wrote: »

I read an article in the Star newspaper about British Intelligence services monitoring jihadis in Ireland. Just wondering why there are no laws against British Intelligence operating in Ireland. After all we're a sovereign country.

We're also an open and democratic society, in which reading newspapers, talking to people, attending meetings, etc is not an offence. The bulk of British intelligence service monitoring people/activities in Ireland is probably done from within the UK, but if there are people on the ground in Ireland who are reading newspapers, holding conversations, attending meetings, etc, that's generally not an offence.

Graham

FireFoxBoy wrote: »

I read an article in the Star newspaper about British Intelligence services monitoring jihadis in Ireland. Just wondering why there are no laws against British Intelligence operating in Ireland. After all we're a sovereign country.

Lots of assumptions there:

1) that it's true
2) that it's being done in-country
3) that it's being done without permission/co-operation

Fred Swanson

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