DUBLIN, Ireland: A security review by the Office of the Independent Examiner for Security Legislation, an Irish statutory body, has warned that Islamist terrorism is a "significant cause of concern" in the country.

George Bermingham said there have been several Islamist terror attacks in recent years and warned that the government must also think about the risk of "lone wolf" attackers.

In his first annual report, he said there is also concern that an attack in a nearby country could be planned or launched from Ireland.

Justice Bermingham, who retired in August 2024 as President of the Court of Appeal, explained that the threats facing the country have changed. In the past, security mainly focused on the Irish Republican Army. But now, the risks are more varied.

He said that, although dissident republicans remain a concern, even 27 years after the Good Friday Agreement, the range of threats has broadened significantly.

Today, Islamist terrorism is a major worry, both because attacks could happen within Ireland and because attacks elsewhere could be planned from there.

He also pointed to other risks, including far-right terrorism, single-issue extremism, and far-left terrorism. In addition, there are concerns about hostile foreign states and individuals acting alone, sometimes called "lone wolves," whether driven by extremist ideas or not.

Bermingham said this creates a complex and worrying situation, and that security laws should be regularly reviewed.

He explained that the role of the Independent Examiner is to reassure the public that security laws are working properly without unfairly limiting human rights and civil liberties.

He also suggested changes, such as creating clear laws for monitoring digital communications and extending postal interception rules to include courier services.