Risk of ‘spontaneous and small’ acts of disruption from far right during voting

Sources point out that while there appears to be a relatively low level of risk of an organised disruption, the threat of violence is “bubbling away” and that it “does not take much” for it to erupt.

It follows comments from a returning officer that election inspectors will be conducting regular patrols to ensure there is no one engaging in intimidation of voters or political campaigning within the 100m safe area around polling stations.

Returning officer for Tipperary and courts sheriff for Tipperary, Waterford, Limerick, and Clare, James Seymour, also said all election candidates and tally personnel have been “expressly notified” that any communication with count staff will result in their “immediate ejection” from the count centre.

A record number of candidates, including from established political parties, Independents, and fledgling far right parties, are standing in the local and European Parliament elections.

Gardaí have said there was no information to suggest there would be an organised disruption of, or interference with, voting or counting, by the far right.

But there are concerns more “dynamic and spontaneous” acts of disruption, that would be “small in nature”, may occur in certain areas.

However, the lack of central command, as such, in the far-right spectrum in Ireland makes if very difficult for gardaí to predict behaviour, as smaller groups and individuals may spontaneously cause trouble.

“The threat of violence is bubbling away and it does not take a whole lot for it to erupt,” a source said.

A national threat assessment has been conducted in addition to local assessments, the latter conducted between senior officers in each region and division and the country’s 28 returning officers.

Sources said that “hotter areas” have been identified in risk assessments and that local policing plans reflect that.

Gardaí stress they will be led by returning officers on physical threat issues outside and inside polling stations and count centres.

Public order units will be on standby across the country.