Gardaí liaise with Interpol over possible terror threat at Fleadh

CLARE gardaí are liaising with Interpol and security colleagues in other countries to assess the possibility of any terror threat in the lead-up to Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Ennis next month.

Superintendent Brendan McDonagh said gardaí’s assessment of any threat was intelligence-led.

He added that Clare gardaí were in regular contact with Interpol and colleagues in Britain, France and other European Union countries and were guided by whatever the terror threat assessment was at any given time.

Supt McDonagh has pledged there will be a very strong visible presence of gardaí on the streets of Ennis again this year during the Fleadh.

In addition to calling in all the available resources in the Garda division, he said extra help would be used from outside counties if this was deemed necessary.

Plans are already in place to deal with the possibility of a terror attack during the Fleadh in Ennis next month, according to the main event controller. In an interview with the ‘Clare Champion’, Adrian Jackson, of Safety Solutions, confirmed that discussions on how to deal with a potential scenario such as an individual bursting through a barrier onto a heavily pedestrianised area had been held with Clare gardaí. “There are structures in place to deal with that [terror threat],” he said. “Those conversations have happened. I am confident that Clare gardaí have been briefed at the highest level.” A general practitioner, registered nurses and advanced paramedics will be stationed in a special Medical Centre in the Scouts Hall on Station Road, Ennis, between August 17 and 20. Roving cover will be provided earlier in the week by the Civil Defence, which includes people who are advanced paramedics.