Security in Ireland

An OSAC Presentation for Special Olympics

Team USA

June 12, 2003

Overseas Security Advisory Council

http://www.ds-osac.org

Mission StatementSpecial Olympics

"To provide in Ireland a unique and unparalleled sporting and cultural experience for the athletes taking part, from 160 international delegations all over the world, as well as for their coaches, families, volunteers and sponsors, combining the excitement of sport with the opportunity for personal distinction, achievement and pride."

Context of DiscussionInformative review of the most relevant issues that threaten the safety and security of Americans in Ireland

Crime • Comparable to any major, industrialized city in the U.S. or Europe

Political Violence• Spain, France, Switzerland, Turkey and Greece have comparable levels

SARS• Smallest per capita rate among affected nations

Threat of Terrorism• A priority for the U.S. government worldwide

Security Issues in IrelandCrime• Overall Crime Level Up 20%• Criminals Target Tourists

Political Violence• Current State of Peace Talk’s • Anti-American Sentiment Low• Paramilitary Groups Do Not Directly

Target Americans

SARS• Irish Relax Ban on Athletes• World Health Organization Information

Transnational Terrorism• Worldwide Public Announcement

Crime in Ireland• Petty theft increasing – Larceny,

pick pocketing, purse snatching and passport theft

• Credit card fraud and ATM machine crimes are increasing

• Violent crimes against tourist are rare, but assaults do occur

• Racially motivated crimes do not occur frequently

• Counterbalanced by a well trained and equipped police force

Tips To Prevent CrimeAreas of Additional Vigilance• Areas of high tourist density – City centers, streets, shops, train

stations and restaurants

• Be wary of late night pubs – Crimes associated with alcohol

Vehicles • Valuables should never be let unattended in vehicles, especially

in the city

• If valuables must be left in the vehicle, place in truck before parking the vehicle – Many thieves watch unsuspecting tourists place their valuable in car trunks

• Remove all radios from parked vehicles

• Doors always should be locked while driving

SOURCE: Regional Security Officer and Consular Affairs, US Embassy Dublin

Tips To Prevent CrimeAvoid Petty Theft• Do not carry you wallet in your back pocket

• Carry purses, with secured flaps, in front of you and hold it close to your body

• Travel in groups and stay in well-lit areas at night

Restaurants• Do not place your purse on the floor between your feet

• Do not leave your purse hanging on the back of your chair while eating

Hotels• Use safe deposit boxes for cash, jewelry and other valuable items

• Avoid leaving valuable items unattended or in a safeSOURCE: Regional Security Officer and Consular Affairs, US Embassy Dublin

Political Violence in IrelandGood Friday Peace Accord – May 1998

• Most groups have declared and maintained a cease-fire since the Good Friday Accord

• “Real IRA” and “Continuity IRA” continue to threaten the peace process

• Incidents continue to occur in Northern Ireland

• Americans are not direct targets of politically motivated attacks

• Targets tend to be political or government locations, and are not usually located by tourist areas

• Special police units specifically designed to deal with political violence

Political Violence in IrelandIncidents in General

• February 2003 – Continuity IRA claims responsibility for bomb attack on a Belfast police station, officers were injured

• February 2003 – Pipe bomb attack in Londonderry is linked to loyalist in-fighting

• October 2002 – Irish police seize stash of weapons linked to the loyalists

• September 2002 – Bomb attack in County Antrim, no one injured

• July 2002 – Multiple police officers injured in sectarian riots in Belfast

• Early 2001 – Two explosive devices detonated in London suburbs, injuring 8 people

SOURCE: BBC News

Political Violence in IrelandSummer Marching Season• April to August each year, the high point on July

12th

• Sporadic incidents of street violence - specially trained police used in crowd control

• July 2002 - Twenty five police officers are injured in clashes with Loyalists during the Drumcree Parade at Portadown

• July 2001 - 250 petrol bombs and two blast bombs are thrown during seven hours of clashes in Ardoyne

• American’s in northern Ireland could experience delays and travel disruption

SOURCE: BBC News

SARS in Ireland• 1 Case in Ireland and 4 cases in the U.K. - All patients fully recovered

• Ban on athletes from SARS affected countries has been lifted - China, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Philippines

• People might be subject to SARS screenings – Most likely athletes entering from Asian countries

• Additional information located at:

– Irish Ministry of Health [http://www.doh.ie/]

– World Health Organization [http://www.who.int]

– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [http://www.cdc.gov]

Signs of SARS

• History of high fever (>38 °C)

• With cough or breathing difficulty

• AND one or more of the following exposures during the 10 days prior to onset of symptoms: -  Close contact with a person who is a suspect or probable case of SARS -  History of travel, to an area with recent local transmission of SARS -  Residing in an area with recent local transmission of SARS

SOURCE: World Health Organization

Transnational Terrorism

Primary Threats• al-Qaeda

• Islamic extremist groups

Primary Targets• U.S. government or military locations

• Allies of the U.S. government

• Soft targets

Areas of Greater Concern• Two Examples - U.K. and Turkey

Transnational TerrorismPublic Announcement, Worldwide Caution, 21 April 2003

“…The U.S. Government remains deeply concerned about the security of U.S. citizens overseas. U.S. citizens are encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness…Tensions remaining from the recent events in Iraq may increase the potential threat to U.S. citizens and interests abroad, including by terrorist groups. Terrorist actions may include, but are not limited to, suicide operations, bombings or kidnappings. Possible threats include conventional weapons such as explosive devices or non-conventional weapons, including chemical or biological agents. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. These may include facilities where American citizens and other foreigners congregate or visit, such as residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, hotels, outdoor recreation events or resorts and beaches. If such facilities cannot be avoided, U.S. citizens should increase their security awareness at such locations…”

SOURCE: US Department of State, [http://travel.state.gov/wwc1.html]

Driving in Ireland• Drivers use the left side of the road

• Roads tend to be more narrow than those in the US

• Irish drivers tend to drive very fast

• Americans tend to be susceptible to accidents

• Americans should exercise additional caution when crossing streets or walking along roads

• For more information on driving, road conditions, parking conditions and traffic conditions, please visit: http://www.aaroadwatch.ie/

Irish Police - Garda

The Garda are a well trained and professional police force that have dedicated a portion of their website to providing information in support of the Special Olympics: http://www.garda.ie/specialolympics/

Emergency Numbers– 24 hour Emergency Service (police, fire, ambulance): 999– Garda Headquarters (Dublin): 01-666-0000– Woman’s Aid: 1-800-341-900– Tourist Victim Support: 01-475-5555 ext. 2906

Medical Emergencies

Ambulance: 999

Hospitals in Dublin• St. Vincent Hospital: 01-269-4533

• St. James Hospital: 01-453-7941

• Beaumont Hospital: 01-809-3000

• Tallaght Hospital for Adults/Children: 01-414-2000

U.S. Embassy Contact

U.S. Embassy Dublin Main Telephone: 01-668-8777

RSO Paul Kennedy: 01-668-7122 ext. 2081

U.S. Embassy LondonMain Telephone: [44] (20) 7499-9000

24 Hour Emergency Phone: [44] (20) 7493-8941

DRSO Robert Reed: [44] (20) 7894-0261

Western European Security AnalystOverseas Security Advisory Council

Diplomatic Security, U.S. Department of Statesenyszyna@state.gov

(202) 663-0574

Adrian Senyszyn

Any Questions?

Overseas Security Advisory Council

[http://www.ds-osac.org]