Hoax bomb threats hit Irish media ahead of Dublin EU summits
Taoiseach Micheál Martin says Dublin's twin EU summits will proceed safely despite hoax bomb threats sent to RTÉ and other Irish media outlets.
Dublin braces for record security operation as hoax bomb threats hit media
RTÉ News reports that Taoiseach Micheál Martin has expressed confidence that two major political summits in Dublin next week will pass off safely, following a wave of hoax bomb threats sent to media organisations and a broader pattern of suspected hybrid attacks across Europe.
RTÉ was among the outlets targeted on Friday morning, when a threatening email triggered a security alert at its Donnybrook campus in south Dublin. Staff — including radio and television presenters — were evacuated from the Montrose buildings. Children in an on-site crèche were also moved out. Sniffer dogs were deployed to search the premises, which was later declared safe.
RTÉ Radio One went off air at around 9am, with the morning programme Today With David McCullagh replaced by pre-recorded music. McCullagh later broadcast from a mobile truck in the car park while gardaí continued their search inside. Full programming resumed later in the day.
RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst was present outside the mobile broadcast vehicle with staff. "On the basis of the information we had, we decided that we wanted to put the safety of the staff first and evacuate the buildings," he said. "It's a disgraceful attack on the media, on free media, and unfortunately, probably where it comes from, they don't really appreciate the importance of free media."
McCullagh told listeners that the threat had warned of a bomb set to detonate within 45 minutes. Threats were also sent to Virgin Media, Newstalk and the Irish Independent.
The incidents occurred at the end of a week in which airlines across parts of Europe — including flights departing from Dublin — were also targeted with hoax bomb alerts, and supermarket refrigeration systems in Ireland were reportedly hacked. Martin described the attacks on media outlets, airlines and infrastructure as coordinated.
Martin points to Russia but urges caution on specifics
Speaking on the Late Late Show on Friday night, Martin was asked whether he remained confident that the security operation for next week's European summits could guarantee safety. "We're confident that will go off safely," he said.
The Taoiseach described the operation as "the largest ever security operation in the history of the State — larger than the visit of a US president." More than 50 prime ministers are due in Dublin on Thursday for the European Political Community summit, followed the next day by an informal meeting of the EU Council. The events are part of Ireland's six-month presidency of the EU Council.
"Combined, it's a huge security operation, and huge preparation has gone into this by the gardaí, by the Defence Forces, by the Cyber Security Centre and so on," Martin said.
On the question of Russian involvement, Martin said it was too early to draw specific conclusions about Friday's hoaxes, but pointed to a broader pattern. "As far back as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, since then the European continent has changed," he said. "The level of what we call hybrid attacks, the volume of those attacks have increased exponentially, and the bulk of those were felt in the eastern part of Europe, in the Baltics, in Poland."
Martin said there is a "general view that all of the increases in hybrid attacks has a Russian connection to it," while stressing: "I just can't say that specifically today in respect of what happened to RTÉ."
Justice minister and Tánaiste respond
Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan said the threats were being taken "very seriously" and are under garda investigation. "Europe has increasingly become the target of different forms of hybrid attacks, which are evolving in complexity and sophistication," he said. "Threats of this nature are completely unacceptable and every effort will be made to identify those responsible."
Tánaiste Simon Harris said the Government is "alive" to the risks. Speaking to Cork 96FM, he said gardaí, security forces and cyber experts are actively working on the matter and will liaise with European counterparts. "The priority is that people are safe, but we need to work to identify the culprits as well," he said.
Seamus Dooley, secretary of the National Union of Journalists in Ireland, described the threat as a "deeply disturbing" attack on press freedom.
Garda work-to-rule adds further complication
The security backdrop is complicated by planned industrial action. The Garda Representative Association has directed a five-day work-to-rule among rank-and-file members to coincide with the summits, citing what it describes as breaches of working time agreements and an over-reliance on enforced overtime. The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors said it will not join the action. Public sector workers are also planning a nationwide strike on Thursday — the same day as the EPC summit.
An Garda Síochána is mounting what it describes as the largest security operation in the State's history to protect the events.
Source: RTÉ News