Kehoe high praise for Ireland’s elite Army Ranger Wing
MINISTER OF State with Special Responsibility for Defence Paul Kehoe has said that he believes Ireland is as prepared as it is possible to be for any form of terrorist attack. The Enniscorthy Minister made the comments having met with the Irish Defence Forces elite Army Ranger Wing and seen them carry out exercises at the Curragh Camp.
The meeting made for some interesting photographs as, in order to protect the identities of the elite counter-terrorism unit, faces of the 13 Rangers were blurred. Also photos were strategically taken from behind, so as not to identify members of the unit.
Minister Kehoe was highly impressed with the capabilities of the unit, which is described as the Irish equivalent of the SAS, and spent a full day with them, being briefed on their roles, capabilities and operational effectiveness; seeing them prepare for a mission and examining the wide range of equipment available to them and finally witnessing a demonstration of the unit responding to a simulated domestic terrorism incidednt and a hostage rescue incident. He then spoke with members, who come from all over the country, about their experiences in the role.
‘While gardaí are the first port of call in the event of a terrorist attack, these guys are the immediate backup,’ explained Minister Kehoe. ‘If there’s a terror attack at sea, in the air or on land, they have the capability to cover them all. This is a very sophisticated group and they are extremely capable and well equipped.’
Minister Kehoe also recently attended the first meeting of the Government Security Committee with a focus on protecting Ireland from any potential terrorist attack. While a lot has been written about how Ireland is somewhat of a sitting duck for terrorists, Minister Kehoe believes this is not the case.
‘You can never fully prepare for a terrorist attack, that’s the nature of it,’ he said. ‘We carry out extensive risk assessments weekly which indicate a risk level of moderate at the moment - possible, but not likely. Having seen the Army Ranger Wing and An Garda Síochána in action recently, I would be confident that Ireland is as prepared as anyone. A huge amount of work goes in behind the scenes that people don’t know about and Ireland has all the equipment and capabilities necessary.’
Minister Kehoe also said that while exercises simulating terrorist attacks had been carried out recently in Dublin, further exercises were planned which will be staged on a joint basis with the Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána and other emergency services involved.
‘YOU CAN’T FULLY PREPARE FOR A TERRORIST ATTACK. [BUT] I WOULD BE CONFIDENT THAT IRELAND IS AS PREPARED AS ANYONE’