Taoiseach Simon Harris has expressed his lack of surprise on learning about Russia’s attempts to meddle with and corrupt public opinion in Ireland. This came after a revelation in the Sunday Times indicated a politician from the Oireachtas to be a puppet in the hands of the Russian intelligence.
Whilst avoiding to comment directly on issues pertaining to national security, Mr Harris underlined that Ireland wasn’t impervious to Russia’s attempt to manipulate public perspective. He clarified this while talking to reporters at a Glasnevin Cemetery event in honour of Charles Stuart Parnell, indicating that such actions by Russia globally shouldn’t surprise anyone.
Explaining further, he pointed out an increasing surge in such events ever since Russia engaged in the unlawful and violent annexation of Ukraine in 2022.
The Sunday Times, in its report, highlighted an unusual offer by the suspected Russian agent to facilitate a connection between Russians and Northern Ireland’s paramilitaries during Brexit discussions, despite having no explicit ties to these paramilitaries. It’s interesting to note that no evidence pointing to the parliamentarian receiving remuneration from Russia has surfaced till now. The said parliamentarian was under surveillance by both the gardaí and the Defense Forces. Engagement of a “honeypot” agent was also reported by the Sunday Times, aiming to establish a romantic bond with the intended target.
Mr Harris was emphatic about the seriousness with which the gardaí and other Irish security services deal with such matters in collaboration with international agencies. Expressing his trust in their capabilities, he appreciated their concerted efforts in tackling such issues.
When pressed about his knowledge of the supposed agent, Mr Harris’s response was, “It’s not commonplace for us to divulge information pertaining to such sensitive matters, and I don’t think it’s a common practice anywhere. Silence doesn’t imply endorsing or rejecting an idea—it’s simply an indication that we never disclose details related to national security publicly. Still, I assure you, these issues are addressed with utmost seriousness.”