From POLITICO · · 1m 20s
Bomb threats hit Irish media ahead of EU summit
Identical threats to newsrooms and dozens of European flights appear timed to disrupt Dublin's hosting of the European Political Community meeting next Thursday.
In brief
Identical threats to newsrooms and dozens of European flights appear timed to disrupt Dublin's hosting of the European Political Community meeting next Thursday. Bomb threats targeting Irish media outlets and European airlines appear coordinated and timed to disrupt Dublin's hosting of the European Political Community…
Identical threats hit four Irish newsrooms
RTÉ, Virgin Media TV, the Irish Independent and Newstalk received identically worded emails Friday morning claiming bombs had been left inside their offices. Three newsrooms evacuated; police found no suspicious devices.
Threats appear linked to next week's EU summit
An Irish government official told POLITICO the threats are almost certainly linked to the European Political Community summit in Dublin next Thursday. The EPC brings together leaders of forty-seven countries to discuss strategic issues.
Dozens of European flights also targeted
At least eighteen European flights faced bomb threats Friday, following at least twenty-two the day before.Irish carriers Ryanair and Aer Lingus were among those targeted.
Officials describe coordinated campaign of disruption
The Irish government said the threats appear part of a European-wide pattern.Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares called it an attempt at hybrid aggression.
“It is clear that what they are looking for is to create chaos and disruption in the different airports.”
Security operation unprecedented in Irish history
Irish police Superintendent Liam Geraghty said the summit poses a tougher security challenge than hosting a U.S.presidential visit.
“We have not seen a policing and security operation of this scale ever before in Ireland.”
In short
Bomb threats targeting Irish media outlets and European airlines appear coordinated and timed to disrupt Dublin's hosting of the European Political Community summit next Thursday.
