Dublin, Nov 7. (dpa/GNA) – Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheál Martin, said he does not think the two European summits scheduled for next week are at risk, due to the recent spate of bomb threats made targeting airlines and Irish media organizations.
It is still too early to say whether Russia is behind the false bomb threats against Irish media, Martin said in a statement on Friday evening.
“There is a general perception that the increase in hybrid attacks is linked to Russia,” the Conservative politician said, according to British news agency PA.
Dozens of flights across much of Europe were affected by mysterious bomb threats during the past week, with some planes being diverted.
However, no explosive devices were found in any of the cases, following checks by specialists.
Irish media organizations also received similar threats via email.
The public service broadcaster RTÉ, temporarily suspended its programmes on Friday because TV and radio studios had to be evacuated.
Next Thursday, around 50 European leaders are expected to attend the European Political Community summit in Dublin.
The forum, which includes not only EU member states but also the UK, Turkey, Ukraine, Moldova and countries in the Western Balkans and the Caucasus, was launched by French President Emmanuel Macron several years ago.
An informal summit of EU leaders, is also scheduled to take place in the Irish capital on Friday. Martin described it as the largest security operation in the country’s history.
GNA