Ireland accuses Russia of spying on its territory

RTÉ reported the information.

Assistant Commissioner Michael McElgunn, who is responsible for state security, said they are particularly concerned about states that are engaged in spying in their country.

According to him, these states, in particular Russia, seek to support extremist groups in the country and create distrust in the government.

“They are also trying to steal secrets from the State and from industry, which undermines the reputation of Ireland,” added Michael McElgunn.

He noted that the Irish Department of State Security and Intelligence has four units that monitor the activities of four states in Ireland.

“However if we look at events in Salisbury, in the UK and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, I don’t think too many people would be surprised if I was to say Russia was one of these states,” said McElgunn, adding that China is also among them.

• In April, the German Foreign Ministry summoned the Russian ambassador over the exposure of two Russian spies who worked for Russia's intelligence services and wanted to organize sabotage at military infrastructure facilities to undermine support for Ukraine.