According to The Irish Examiner, Irish law enforcement significantly increased its covert surveillance activities last year, with nearly 120 secret bugging and tracking operations conducted to tackle organized crime and subversive activities, according to a new oversight report.
The figures, revealed by Mr Justice Michael Twomey, show a dramatic 25% rise in these clandestine operations compared to the previous year, highlighting an intensified effort by authorities to combat serious criminal activity.
These covert operations include sophisticated surveillance techniques such as bugging and tracking, used to gather intelligence on criminal gangs and subversive groups operating within the state.
The substantial increase in surveillance operations suggests a more aggressive approach by law enforcement agencies in their fight against organized crime, reflecting growing concerns about criminal activities and their impact on public safety.
The report, compiled by the oversight judge, provides rare insight into the scale of secret police operations while maintaining necessary operational security in the ongoing battle against serious crime.