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Irish Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Judge's report provides rare insight into secretive Irish military intelligence unit
Ireland's secretive military intelligence service is seeking more surveillance powers to deal with threats to State security, as it undergoes a major internal overhaul. Developments in the service include a new purpose-built headquarters in Dublin and a new name. Previously known as J2, the unit is now known as the Irish Military Intelligence Service (IMIS). Most of the operations of IMIS remain shrouded in secrecy, even more so than its Garda counterpart, the Security and Intelligence Service. Its precise location, strength and identity of its commander, an Army colonel, remain confidential. Even the name remains somewhat mysterious. Recent Defence Forces planning documents still refer to IMIS as J2, despite the rebranding. However, the latest report from the judge responsible for monitoring the use of communications surveillance by State agencies provides an unusually detailed, though still limited, insight. The designated judge, Mr Justice Tony O'Connor, said in March that IMIS moved into a secure facility that has been purpose-built to 'top secret clearance and security specifications'. Sources said the new facility, understood to be in McKee Barracks in Dublin, has been outfitted with advanced security measures required for the processing of intelligence from Nato and EU sources. The old headquarters, which was also in McKee Barracks, was transferred to the newly established Defence Forces Joint Cyber Defence Command, which moved in on May 6th. The restructuring coincides with an undertaking in the programme for government to review military intelligence structures 'to ensure that our intelligence services are optimised to protect national security'. The judge's report is the first publicly available official document to use the service's new name. IMIS is tasked with ensuring State security and the security of State agencies, including Defence Forces deployments overseas. It has a fraction of the resources of its Garda counterpart, which has primary responsibility for State security. Much of the intelligence processed by the service comes from other militaries or intelligence agencies, including the European Union Intelligence and Situation Centre and Nato's Battlefield Information Collection and Exploitation System. However, in some cases, it carries out its own wiretaps and other types of communications surveillance. Information gathered in this way is used for intelligence purposes only and not for bringing prosecutions, Mr Justice O'Connor said. Those under surveillance are never informed of the fact. These powers are governed by the Interception Of Postal Packets And Telecommunications Messages Act, 1993 which, according to IMIS, 'continues to be a valuable and significant source of intelligence'. IMIS has also been increasingly seeking data under Section 6 of The Communications (Retention Of Data) Act 2011, the judge said. This allows a Defence Forces officer of colonel rank or higher to request customer data retained by a service provider 'for the purpose of safeguarding the security of the State'. However, the current laws do not allow IMIS to intercept communications carried out on internet platforms, such as WhatsApp, Gmail or Facebook messenger. The Defence Forces has called on the Department of Justice to update the legislation to rectify this, the judge noted. Intelligence officers are also seeking more statutory powers to compel service providers to comply with personnel data requests. In the absence of such powers, international communications companies may refuse to comply with requests from military intelligence, Mr Justice O'Connor warned. The current Government has been receptive to these suggestions. Last week, Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan announced plans for new surveillance laws to incorporate web-based platforms, including those that use encrypted technology. In his report, Mr Justice O'Connor also echoes calls made by the 2022 Commission on the Defence Forces to bring in legislation to clarify the 'role, function and powers' of military intelligence. He suggested a comparison should take place with other European military intelligence units.
Irish Times
08-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Look inside: Redbrick Victorian alive with colour on Marlborough Road for €1.25m
Address : 7 Marlborough Road, North Circular Road, Dublin 7 Price : €1,250,000 Agent : Sherry FitzGerald View this property on Urban legend has it that the plans for Marlborough Barracks in Dublin got mixed up in the war department of London in the 1800s with the designs for a barracks in India . The pitched roofs and long ornate chimneys give the building, which is now known as McKee Barracks, a distinctive colonial character, which isn't in keeping with designs of other former British military buildings around the capital. It's highly unlikely that the war department would allow such an error to go unnoticed, but many locals still enjoy telling the tale. In 1922, the complex was handed over to the Irish Free State, at which point it was renamed after Dick McKee, who was a prominent member of the Irish Republican Army . Today, a disused single-arch stone railway bridge separates the site and the terrace of 13 houses at Marlborough Road. These late-Victorian-era properties were built for the officers of the British army who were stationed at the barracks. The road, just off the North Circular, is now a quiet cul-de-sac that has the Phoenix Park to one side, the barracks behind it and Stoneybatter straight ahead. Number 7, which is situated halfway along the terrace, has come on to the market through Sherry FitzGerald seeking €1.25 million. The four-bedroom redbrick has a floor area of 187sq m (2,013sq ft), and has been upgraded and restored over the years. The current owners, who were looking to trade -up in the area, loved the location of Marlborough Road and the quietness of the cul-de-sac. Number 7 had already been fully renovated and extended in 2018, so it was just a case of redecorating when the owners moved in three years ago. READ MORE Hallway. Photograph: Keith Owens Livingroom. Photograph: Keith Owens Library. Photograph: Keith Owens Piano in library. Photograph: Keith Owens With the help of designer Suzanne Hourican, the couple chose bold, strong colours for the living areas and created an imaginative space in the centre room downstairs, that in now a library with extensive shelving on all walls. The mature wisteria wrapping around the front of the house is a warm and welcoming sign as you walk up the tiled driveway. The entrance hall has retained the original coving, centre rose and arch, with a newly tiled floor leading down to the kitchen. To the left is the livingroom, painted in Reading Room Red by Farrow and Ball, which contrasts with the original deep cornicing in white. Pocket doors from here open into the library where the walls are painted in a rich green with feature wallpaper on one wall behind a piano. This opens out into the kitchen extension which has high ceilings with two light wells. The solid timber kitchen units are by Dillon Kitchens and have recently been painted in Fisherman's Boat green by Curator Paints to match the library walls. Appliances include a fridge-freezer, dishwasher and a Rangemaster oven with gas hob. The original fireplace has been retained and is fitted with a stove, and there is also a small utility space and a larder. Kitchen. Photograph: Keith Owens Main bedroom. Photograph: Keith Owens Garden. Photograph: Keith Owens Garden and back of the house. Photograph: Keith Owens Upstairs, there is a double bedroom on the first-floor return with cast-iron fireplace. On the first floor the principal bedroom has a bay window looking out to the road and original features such as the fireplace, coving and ceiling rose. The en suite bathroom has marble tiling and there is a walk-in wardrobe. There is a third double bedroom on the first floor and the fourth bedroom is on the second floor with an en suite shower room. The landscaped rear garden has a patio area outside the kitchen with granite steps up to a lawn that has been laid with artificial grass with bountiful borders on each side. At the back is a shed that has a children's playhouse on the roof. All the recent upgrades have brought the energy rating of the late 1800s house up to an impressive B1. It uses gas-fired central heating and there is underfloor heating in the extension. The owners are moving to the other side of the city to be closer to family but will miss the convenience of the Dublin 7 location, with Stoneybatter and its cafes, restaurants and pubs only five minutes away on foot via Oxmantown Road, and the Phoenix Park also a five-minute walk down the North Circular.
