Retired Garda Sergeant Christy Galligan has called for the establishment of an Independent Intelligence Service in order to tackle the threat of terrorism.
Aside from Malta, Ireland is the only country whose national police force also serves as their intelligence agency; all other countries have an independent intelligence agency that operates separately.
Former Garda Sergeant Galligan
He says; “The recent attacks by terrorists in London and Manchester must give us food for thought.
“The recent Garda operations against dissident republicans and Daesh sympathisers shows that the need for a properly funded, properly resourced Independent Intelligence Service in this Country, is not only essential but fundamental for the preservation of our values and way of life, but most importantly our hard fought for democracy.
“There are spokespersons within our society who will support terrorists in the taking of human lives but thankfully they are in the minority. But we must be ever vigilant and be prepared as law abiding citizens to make that phone call to our security services so as to stop these extremists from wallowing and feasting on the bloodshed of our fellow human man.
“I have written to the minister for Justice on numerous occasions asking for a new Security Intelligence Service to be set up and remove the responsibility of high level extremism and terrorism from our Garda service.
As resources are already stretched for Gardaí, Galligan says that an Independent Intelligence Service would allow Gardaí to focus on crime and community relations, while intelligence officials could focus on tackling the threat of terrorism.
He also asserts that Ireland must revise immigration policies and the vetting policies.
“The Gardaí have done an excellent job in protecting our society, at a great cost to themselves, from terrorists and extremists over the years.
“They like other front line forces, like our citizens, are the true heroes.
“The Independent Intelligence Service would remove a huge responsibility from our depleted and overworked Garda force and allow them to concentrate on Crime and Community Relations.
“The Independent intelligence Service, with its operatives, would be at the forefront in stopping or negating threats from homegrown terrorists or those from abroad.
“We also need to look at our Immigration policies and the vetting processes behind those policies. We need to look at Common Travel Areas and the freedom of movement of people throughout Europe.
“Whilst it is commendable that we look after refugees/asylum seekers, we cannot in all honesty state that we know that each person arriving from Iraq, Syria, etc are not infiltrated by extremist Daesh members who threaten our very existence. Their extreme culture and beliefs are not in keeping with western values, even with all its faults.
“Ireland maybe a small country on the periphery of Europe but it is also a gateway for those who wish to cause other nations harm.
“Political rhetoric and niceties in order to appease the PC crowd will not protect us.
“Only a strong and well resourced Independent Intelligence Service can be, or will be, at the forefront of challenging those who wish to do our and other nations harm,” concluded Galligan.
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