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Isis views Ireland as 'somewhere to fundraise rather than attack'

Five people are serving prison sentences in Ireland for convictions related to Islamist extremism offences, according to a new report.

THE ISLAMIC STATE terrorist group views Ireland as somewhere to fundraise rather than target for a terrorist attack, according to a new report.

Researchers spoke to Irish security sources for the report, which explores jihadist extremism in 10 European countries.

There are an estimated five people serving prison sentences in Ireland for convictions related to Islamist extremism offences. Security sources said these convictions relate to funding terrorism, rather than active engagement in terrorist plots.

“This reinforces other evidence which suggests that ISIS (Islamic State) and its affiliates regard the Republic of Ireland as a target for criminal exploitation for fundraising, as opposed to a target for a terrorist attack,” the report notes. 

Ian Acheson, a security expert based in the UK, wrote the chapter about Ireland. He states there is “little evidence yet to indicate any direct cooperation between Irish-born or -based Islamist extremists and dissident extremists or OCGs (organised crime gangs)”.

However, he said “transnational terrorism” operating within the Republic of Ireland still “poses a real risk”.

“Given the convergence of interests and tactical opportunities and the strong historical cooperation of such groups in a domestic context, the possibility of that extending to jihadist groups cannot be discounted,” Acheson states. 

He notes that, according to interviews with senior Irish security sources, the Republic of Ireland “does not have wide powers to detain ISIS extremist suspects who return to Ireland from abroad”.

Unlike the UK, which has strong legal powers to stop and detain persons suspected of involvement in foreign terrorism at all entry points, the Gardaí prefer a more low-key consensual approach.

“This typically involves the police developing a long-term relationship with those suspected of engaging in violent extremism, but for whom proof to a criminal standard is lacking,” Acheson says. 

He adds that this process “mirrors the government’s approach to counter-extremism”, adding: “The importance of reintegration and community policing to support it are emphasised to prevent youth from becoming radicalised by ideologues.”

Radicalisation, and the importance of integration, in Ireland was explored in a series on TheJournal.ie last year. Muslim leaders here have consistently condemned terrorist attacks and work with the gardaí to prevent radicalisation

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána previously told us that the organisation’s response to radicalisation is “based on our analysis of the level of threat from it”.

“The threat level is kept under constant review,” the spokesperson said, adding that gardaí are “constantly vigilant for any potential emerging threats” and “in constant contact with our policing and security partners across the world, but particularly in Europe, to share information and analysis”.

Lisa Smith case 

In the report, Acheson notes that there has been some criticism of gardaí and other agencies for their “low-key approach to dealing with the threat of radicalisation”, using the cases of Rachid Redouane and Lisa Smith as examples. 

Moroccan national Redouane, one of the 2017 London Bridge terrorist attackers, lived in Dublin for five years prior to the incident and had not been subject to any form of investigation or surveillance while there, the report notes.

“Another point of difference between Irish and British authorities’ approaches is illustrated by the different treatments of Lisa Smith, an Irish woman who converted to Islam, travelled to Syria in 2014 and is suspected of affiliation to ISIS; and of UK national Shamima Begum, who has been denied return to Britain and stripped of her citizenship by the Government.

“The Irish Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, has indicated that Smith will be allowed to return to Ireland, though she may be subject to criminal sanction,” Acheson writes.

Over the summer, it was confirmed that Irish authorities were trying to make arrangements to bring Smith back to Ireland.

The 37-year-old Dundalk woman was captured by Kurdish forces in northeast Syria and is being held with her two-year old daughter in the Al-Hawl displacement camp for the wives and children of Islamic State (IS) fighters.

Smith left Ireland in late 2013 and went to Tunisia where she met and married a Muslim man from Britain. It is reported that she became radicalised and by 2015 had travelled to Syria (where Isis have since been defeated).

In July, Varadkar said he wants them to come to Ireland. The Taoiseach told Today with Sean O’Rourke: “I definitely want her child to be able to come home and I would never separate her child from their mother, so yes I do want her to come home.”

However, he added: “We have to bear in mind the fact that we don’t want to put at risk any of our personnel, diplomats or military people.”

Varadkar also noted there are “security issues” to consider and should Smith return home, “gardaí will want to talk to her”. 

A spokesperson for the Department of Justice told TheJournal.ie at the time that the situation was complex. 

“The return to states in the EU of persons suspected of having been active in conflict in Iraq or Syria or residing in conflict areas present complex challenges, including questions of public protection, the prosecution of offences, the protection of citizens’ rights, particularly the rights of non-combatants, and deradicalisation, none of which matters lend themselves to easy resolution.

“The complexity of these cases is such that issues will arise where there is no ready solution and such cases can only be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.”

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52 Comments
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    Mute The long walk home☘️
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 12:32 PM

    Ireland’s “low-key approach to dealing with the threat of radicalisation” in short security services here couldn’t be assed.

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    Mute GrahamMManning
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 12:37 PM

    @The long walk home☘️: proof of that?

    45
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    Mute The long walk home☘️
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 12:42 PM

    @GrahamMManning: Sure Boss, compiling that report as we speak. Might take a few weeks or you might just read the article above.

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    Mute GrahamMManning
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 1:23 PM

    @The long walk home☘️: good to know you know ur place. Could do with improving the timeline a smidge. And where in the article does it say “couldn’t be arsed”?

    17
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    Mute Niall Brew
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 2:22 PM

    @The long walk home☘️: yeah with all the big US companies hereits a wonder, get complacent at our peril i think. Work in Eastpoint and all the sites are easily accessed.

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    Mute Josh Hanners
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 3:11 PM

    @GrahamMManning: Are you a Muslim?

    28
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    Mute Chris Judge
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 3:40 PM

    @Josh Hanners: Would it matter if he was or not?

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    Mute GrahamMManning
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 4:07 PM

    @Josh Hanners: no. Don’t subscribe to any of that sky fairy stuff. U? What does it matter and why do you ask?

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    Mute Josh Hanners
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 4:14 PM

    @Chris Judge: People would know where he was coming from!

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    Mute GrahamMManning
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 4:43 PM

    @Josh Hanners: Cork

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    Mute Josh Hanners
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 4:51 PM

    @GrahamMManning: Touche.

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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Oct 3rd 2019, 4:15 PM

    @The long walk home☘️: Or, they’re fully prepared and not thick enough to announce all the precautions on the web. Why not let any preparations come as a surprise to any actual attackers?

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    Mute J. Reid
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 12:41 PM

    This says it all about how soft the Irish state is. Seeking to repatriate Irish citizens who involve themselves with Islamic extremists in the Middle East, and using all sorts of sentimental language to justify it, makes us a magnet for Islamist fundraisers and radicalisers. We are the ultimate patsies.

    Isis is smart about Ireland: why bother bombing us when they can just exploit our stupidity for their own evil ends? Our soft-headedness in Ireland makes us a liability for our fellow Western democratic states.

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    Mute GrahamMManning
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 1:25 PM

    @J. Reid: seeking to repatriate and the government not having the authority to revoke citizenship and render people stateless are two different things. The former shouldn’t be done and the letter should never be allowed.

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    Mute Tony Moore
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 12:55 PM

    There was 180 non nationals stoped in a day of Action by tbe guards on taxi drivers . Who should have not bern in the country in the first place , how can you possibly make an security assessment when we haven’t a clue who is here ? . One of the London attackers lived here .

    https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjKqLKYwv3kAhWQXRUIHTB_AT4QzPwBegQIARAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.independent.ie%2Fbreaking-news%2Firish-news%2Fmajor-taxi-scam-uncovered-as-180-noneu-nationals-obtain-licences-despite-having-no-legal-status-in-ireland-37882999.html&psig=AOvVaw1A1yFcCMz_NA4EmO6leoB0&ust=1570103693155905

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    Mute Rosie
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 1:44 PM

    @Tony Moore: Oh you’ll have the leftie liberals down on you now…we must allow more in to Ireland, gigantic Mosques funded by Saudi Arabia, poor ?

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    Mute GrahamMManning
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 2:26 PM

    @Rosie: when are they arriving dear?

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    Mute Tony Moore
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 5:02 PM

    @GrahamMManning: As soon as Turkey opens its boarders .

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    Mute GrahamMManning
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 5:32 PM

    @Tony Moore: they’re going to open up people renting rooms? Dastardly, but don’t see how it’ll mean more immigration for us?

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    Mute Pickles
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 7:30 PM

    @GrahamMManning: Your posts are a conveyor belt of dumb questions.

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    Mute GrahamMManning
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 8:52 PM

    @Pickles: and yours involve just following me round like a puppy begging for attention.

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    Mute Tony Moore
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 10:25 PM

    @GrahamMManning: Right eh , were do you think the ones we get , come from exactly ?

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    Mute GrahamMManning
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 11:03 PM

    @Tony Moore: just commenting that the person worried about borders can’t spell the word.

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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Oct 3rd 2019, 4:18 PM

    @GrahamMManning: On the bright side, the standard misspellings are always a handy way to set up an email spam filter.

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    Mute Tony Moore
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    Oct 3rd 2019, 5:05 PM

    @GrahamMManning: The ABC police ha ha ,

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    Mute Gisbert Bayertz
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 12:43 PM

    For once I agree with the British government

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    Mute Pól Ó'hAodha
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 1:07 PM

    Will these 5 people serving time for fundraising for ISIS be deported once they’ve served their time?

    196
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    Mute GrahamMManning
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 1:25 PM

    @Pól Ó’hAodha: as long as they’re not Irish why wouldn’t they be?

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    Mute Josh Hanners
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 1:41 PM

    @GrahamMManning: If these five had been granted Irish citizenship, then they could not be deported, as according to you, the government has no authority to revoke citizenship.

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    Mute GrahamMManning
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 2:28 PM

    @Josh Hanners: were the words i used too big or was it just that there’s too many of em? If uve citizenship then you’re Irish so where exactly would they be deported to? And the government not having the authority to revoke said citizenship isn’t according to me it’s law.

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    Mute Josh Hanners
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 3:19 PM

    @GrahamMManning: So if an asylum seeker is granted refugee status and goes on to be granted citizenship, the government has no authority to revoke that citizenship even if that person still holds citizenship of an other country? I’ve tried to simplify my words so you might understand the question!

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    Mute GrahamMManning
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 4:11 PM

    @Josh Hanners: do you serve your humble pie hot or cold cos it appears I need some. Was unaware naturalised Irish citizens could have said citizenship revoked while Irish born can’t. Apologies. I stand corrected, thanks.

    5
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    Mute Shaner Mac
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 4:21 PM

    @GrahamMManning: The Government does have the power to revoke citizenship; it’s a discretionary power of the minister. Being involved in terrorism would certainly allow this power to be used.

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    Mute GrahamMManning
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 4:44 PM

    @Shaner Mac: see above. Took me a while but figured that out.

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    Mute Terrence Edwards
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 12:38 PM

    They were out shaking buckets on Grafton Street last Saturday.

    It could have been Oxfam actually, but either way

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    Mute Kevin Kane
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 1:08 PM

    We should take advantage of this and entice them to focus all their fundraising operations in Co. Cavan. They won’t be long leaving the country empty-handed.

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    Mute Jonny kerr
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 1:55 PM

    It’s our open door policy.
    Denounce your Irish heritage, join isis,
    If they fail its OK our leaders of this beautiful country just don’t care

    104
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    Mute GrahamMManning
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 2:32 PM

    @Jonny kerr: we haven’t got one. Are there swathes of people denouncing their Irish heritage and joining ISIS now? Can’t believe I didn’t hear bout that. And much as I’m no fan of FG how is that they don’t care exactly?

    8
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    Mute Leo Lalor
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 3:05 PM

    Put them in a council house give them social welfare benefits and they can devote themselves to isis activity. Oh and if they get busted …free legal aid.

    72
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    Mute Mark Plunkett
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 3:49 PM

    They should go out on Friday ,Saturday nights into the citycenter I’m sure they will find another 180 that shouldn’t be driving a taxi,but then again this is Ireland,can anything be done right??

    40
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    Mute John Tierney
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 12:56 PM

    Problem. Reaction. Solution. I wonder what draconian laws are ready for enactment?

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    Mute Mike McGann
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 1:55 PM

    Sure that’s grand so

    23
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    Mute Aidan Mccullough
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 3:41 PM

    Religion of pieces?

    23
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    Mute John Walsh
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 3:37 PM

    Blood on our hands instead of blood on our streets, is this government policy now?

    23
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    Mute ᎶᗩᒪᒪᎬᖇᎽ & ᗰᑌsᎬᑌᗰ ᑭᖇᎾ-ᒪᎥᖴᎬ sᏆᗩᖴᖴ Ꭵᑎ IᖇᎬᒪᗩᑎᗪ
    Favourite ᎶᗩᒪᒪᎬᖇᎽ & ᗰᑌsᎬᑌᗰ ᑭᖇᎾ-ᒪᎥᖴᎬ sᏆᗩᖴᖴ Ꭵᑎ IᖇᎬᒪᗩᑎᗪ
    Report
    Oct 2nd 2019, 5:25 PM

    Perhaps they could form a merger with IrishWater who are equally as popular, then apply for status as a charity.
    Knowing this country, they’d probably get it
    https://www.sekem.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/ISISWater.png

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    Mute Chris O'Sullivan
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 12:39 PM

    They can f**k off did they not see the property tax went up again.

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    Mute Karl Charlie
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 4:16 PM

    @Chris O’Sullivan: yep good aul labour in my area refused to vote for a 0% increase so that a 7.5% increase would be passed through and we are losing out because we take in too much tax its being sent to othee towns in kildare to be apent, whatever a town collects in property tax should only be spent in that town

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    Mute Adam Sheridan
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 3:15 PM

    Not partaking in blowing up the Middle East paying off big time.

    13
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    Mute Bren Guiden
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 10:21 PM

    Fundraising for Snackbars

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    Mute Eric Davies
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    Oct 3rd 2019, 3:57 PM

    “sources said these convictions relate to funding terrorism, rather than active engagement in terrorist plots” hang on a doggone minute there boy – surly even in the most liberal of minds the ‘funding ‘ of terrorism is every bit as much ”an active engagement ” as strapping on 50lb of semtex and blowing your arse to kingdom come and many others with you ! far too easy for these people to walk in and out of this country at will at the moment – very few- if any checks at ferry ports – (dont know about airports as i dont use them ) either side of the irish sea !

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    Mute SC
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    Oct 2nd 2019, 11:45 PM

    Irish people tend to believe stories about separatists and different ideologies and various other fronts for terrorist factions. They’ll tell you they’re a radical feminist brigade if it gets your money.

    1
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