Jim O'Callaghan

The three new offences are among the provisions in the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) (Amendment) Bill 2025, which aims to response to the evolving nature of terrorism by allowing for the prosecution of a broader range of terrorist activities.

The bill will give prosecutors more power to deal with terrorist acts with a cross-border element and cyber-attacks where the aim is to cause widespread harm.

The Department of Justice says the legislation will bring Ireland’s counter-terrorism laws into line with those of other EU member states, which will facilitate Ireland’s participation in enhanced counter-terrorism networks across the EU.

Specifically, it will give effect to Directive (EU) 2017/541 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017 on combating terrorism and replacing Council Framework Decision 2002/475/JHA and amending Council Decision 2005/671/JHA.

The penalty on conviction on indictment for all three of the new offences is a fine or imprisonment for up to 10 years.

Mr O’Callaghan said: “I am very pleased to receive cabinet approval to publish this important piece of legislation.

“It will strengthen Ireland’s laws by broadening the scope of prosecutable offences in respect of terrorist activity and marks a significant step forward in ensuring that Ireland’s counter-terrorism framework is robust and fit for purpose in the face of modern terrorist threats.

“The bill will criminalise three new terrorist offences targeting the foreign terrorist fighter phenomenon: receiving training for the purpose of terrorism; travelling for the purpose of terrorism; and organising or facilitating travel for the purpose of terrorism.

“It also permits courts, when sentencing a person convicted of recruiting or providing training for terrorism, to treat as an aggravating factor that the offence was committed against a child.

“I am pleased to be progressing this legislation in line with the commitment contained in the programme for government.”