Posted by Updated / Monday, 2 Mar 2026 13:26
Crime Correspondent
The Garda Commissioner and the Chief Constable of the PSNI have said they are very concerned about the radicalisation of young people online and the threat from anti-migrant terrorism.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said while the numbers were quite small, the individuals were very motivated and An Garda Síochána had intervened in a number of cases.
PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher said misinformation on social media was driving much of the criminality and disorder.
They were speaking at a cross-border conference on organised crime, which was also addressed by Ministers for Justice Jim O’Callaghan and Stormont Justice Minister Naomi Long.
Minister O’Callaghan said the number of people coming across the border from Northern Ireland to claim international protection in Dublin remained at “a very high rate”.
He said between 87-90% of the applications being made to the International Protection Office this year appeared to entering the country from across the border.
Last year’s figure was 88%.
He also said it was “very difficult” to resolve the issue when there is an open border.
Mr Kelly said gardaí had identified a number of individuals involved in cross-border people trafficking and Operation Sonnet had been set up to tackle the issue.
Who Watches the Watchers? 