Russian Espionage in Ireland

Ireland has become a focal point for Russian espionage, particularly due to its historical policy of neutrality and lack of a robust intelligence apparatus like that of MI5 or MI6. An incident involving an Irish parliamentarian, referred to as 'Cobalt,' highlights how Russian operatives approached and groomed him for potential espionage activities. This individual's social interactions with Russian diplomats and a honey trap tactic exemplify how Russia seeks to infiltrate political circles in Ireland, especially amid sensitive political contexts like Brexit. The Irish security services were keenly aware of this operation, indicating their vigilance against external threats despite Ireland's limited counterintelligence framework.