Published Tuesday, 28 September 2010
Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy vowed his force was committed to thwarting the actions of terrorists, particularly those intent on assassinating officers in Northern Ireland.
M15 and British Home Secretary Theresa May warned dissidents could attempt to mount a new wave of terrorist attacks on the British mainland, raising the threat level to substantial.
"I very much agree with that assessment," said Commissioner Murphy.
"We share information, we share intelligence, and based on knowledge that I have, that is the proper assessment and I support the work of the security services."
The Commissioner said Garda officers and the PSNI were countering the activities of a small group of people - including members of the Continuity IRA, the Real IRA and Oglaigh na hEireann.
The Commissioner said the threat of attacks in Northern Ireland remain severe, with dissidents intent on causing mayhem and damage and assassinating PSNI officers.
"The bomb in Newry courthouse earlier this year was the first bomb that went off in Northern Ireland since the Omagh bomb and that was a significant development, and they have achieved some limited success in recent times in detonating a number of bombs," he continued.
"Our job is to co-operate and to work closely with the security forces, policing and security agencies in Northern Ireland.
"We are doing it for the purpose of preventing a small group of people from carrying out their threats and their attempt to attack the forces of law and order in Northern Ireland.
"I have said beforehand and I say it again that an attack on a PSNI officer is the same as an attack on a member of An Garda Siochana."
So far this year 22 suspects have been brought before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin to face charges relating to dissident republican terrorism.