This is an annual report produced in
conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Dublin.
OSAC encourages travelers to use this report to gain baseline knowledge of security
conditions in Ireland. For more in-depth information, review OSAC’s Ireland
country page for
original OSAC reporting, consular messages, and contact information, some of
which may be available only to private-sector representatives with an OSAC
password.
Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at
the date of this report’s publication assesses Ireland at Level 1,
indicating travelers should exercise normal precautions. Review
OSAC’s report, Understanding
the Consular Travel Advisory System.
Overall Crime and Safety
Situation
Crime Threats
The U.S. Department of State has assessed
Dublin as being a MEDIUM-threat location for crime directed at or
affecting official U.S. government interests. Crimes against U.S. nationals
usually involve petty theft, burglary, and other minor offenses. Ireland hosts
a large number of U.S. and other foreign tourists throughout the year. There is
also a sizeable expatriate presence of U.S. nationals
and business interests within the country. During 2019, property
crime was down 6.3% nationally. There was a 7.1%
increase in reported sexual
offenses in 2019 compared with 2018. Total criminal damage
was up by 3.2% in 2019, and total public order offending
increased in 2019 by 4.3%. Burglary was down, by 6.3%. Dublin remains
the county with the highest crime rate in accordance with its large and
dense population.
Violent crime in Ireland is rare but does
exist. Over the past three years, the Garda Síochána (Garda, the
Irish police) has focused resources primarily on violence associated with
organized criminal groups, particularly related to drug trafficking. Violence
has resulted in the murder of multiple individuals associated with criminal
organizations.
Drug-related crimes were up in 2019 compared
to 2018. Most drug offenses concentrated in Dublin.
Table 1.1 Recorded crime incidents classified
by offense group, annualized total to Q3 2018 and 2019
|
|
Annualized total to Q3
|
ICCSq offense
group
|
2018
|
2019
|
Change
|
% Change
|
Homicide and related offenses
|
81
|
54
|
-27
|
-33.3
|
Sexual offenses
|
3,112
|
3,332
|
+220
|
+7.1
|
Attempts/threats to
murder, assaults, harassments and related offenses
|
19,672
|
21,438
|
+1,766
|
+9.0
|
Dangerous or
negligent acts
|
8,454
|
8,740
|
+286
|
+3.4
|
Kidnapping and
related offenses
|
117
|
136
|
+19
|
+16.2
|
Robbery, extortion
and hijacking offenses
|
2,457
|
2,332
|
-125
|
-5.1
|
Burglary and related offenses
|
17,694
|
16,580
|
-1,114
|
-6.3
|
Theft and related offenses
|
66,576
|
69,063
|
+2,487
|
+3.7
|
Fraud, deception and
related offenses
|
5,779
|
7,805
|
+2,026
|
+35.1
|
Controlled drug offenses
|
17,896
|
20,972
|
+3,076
|
+17.2
|
Weapons and
explosives offenses
|
2,389
|
2,706
|
+317
|
+13.3
|
Damage to property
and to the environment
|
21,544
|
22,233
|
+689
|
+3.2
|
Public order and
other social code offenses
|
31,564
|
32,915
|
+1,351
|
+4.3
|
Offenses against
Government, justice procedures, and organization of crime
|
15,498
|
16,263
|
+765
|
+4.9
|
Note: Crime incident figures and the associated
trends are based on provisional data available on January 2, 2020 and
may change. CSO publications that will be available later in the year
represent the official crime statistics.
Cybersecurity Issues
Cybercrime is a major concern, particularly
with more than 700 U.S. companies and many of the leading technology firms
locating their European headquarters in Ireland. The Irish government has been
taking proactive steps to address this growing threat, including approving a
new National Cyber Security Strategy. The Irish government has yet to provide
data on the number of reported cybercrimes. Review OSAC’s reports, Cybersecurity
Basics, Best
Practices for Maximizing Security on Public Wi-Fi, and Traveling
with Mobile Devices: Trends & Best Practices.
Transportation-Safety
Situation
Road Safety and Road
Conditions
Road conditions and safety standards meet or
exceed U.S. standards, except in remote areas, where roads can be
extremely narrow and difficult to navigate. Vehicle accidents are
common and are a major hazard for foreign drivers, especially those
not accustomed to driving in Ireland, which is a right-side drive country. Major
roads are well maintained, and extensive lighting exists. Weather
conditions, especially in the western part of the country, can contribute to
hazardous road conditions. A number of tour organizations arrange
travel throughout the country, with varying degrees of service; none is off-limits
for U.S. government employees.
Cars drive on the
left side of the road in Ireland.
Those without experience driving on the left should be especially cautious;
tourists driving on the incorrect side of the road are the cause of several
serious accidents each year. Most intersections in Ireland use circular roundabouts
instead of traffic lights; pay close attention to signs and yield the right of
way to those already in the roundabout. Most
rental cars in Ireland have manual transmissions; it can be difficult to
find automatic transmission rental cars.
Review OSAC’s reports, Road
Safety Abroad, Driving
Overseas: Best Practices,
and Evasive
Driving Techniques; and
read the State Department’s webpage on driving and road safety abroad.
Public Transportation Conditions
The overall transportation system
is efficient and safe. Taxis, buses, and trains are safe. Local bus
service in the cities is generally adequate, although many buses are crowded,
frequently run late, and lines do not necessarily link easily. Pay close
attention to bus stop locations in both directions, as the drop-off and pick-up
locations could be several blocks away from each other. Taxi rates vary with
time of day and location. Ask your hotel for the number of a call-dispatched
taxi service if you plan to be out during less busy times. Review OSAC’s
report, Security In Transit: Airplanes, Public
Transport, and Overnights.
Terrorism Threat
The U.S. Department of State has assessed
Dublin as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or
affecting official U.S. government interests. There are known indigenous
terrorist organizations operating in Ireland, yet these organizations tend to
involve cross-border (Northern Ireland) elements that focus their activities on
criminal profits rather than ideological or political concerns. Irish officials
recognize and respond to the security problems created by these groups. The
ongoing threat of terrorism in Europe and recent attacks throughout the
continent have not yet affected Ireland directly. While Ireland has not
yet experienced any transnational terrorist attacks, the Garda consider an
attack as “possible, but not likely.” Negative consequences from a potential
“hard Brexit” might affect this assessment.
Anti-U.S. Sentiment
In general, anti-U.S sentiment is
extremely low. A small but vocal and active percentage of Irish citizens
oppose U.S. military activity in Afghanistan, Iran, and
Iraq. There are occasionally small protests against the use of
Shannon Airport as a military plane refuel
stop and against perceived U.S. support for Israel. In
2019, some demonstrations occurred at the U.S. Embassy in Dublin, although
none of these protests were violent or disruptive to Embassy
operations and nearly all of them were announced well in advance.
Political, Economic, Religious,
and Ethnic Violence
The U.S. Department of State has assessed
Dublin as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at
or affecting official U.S. government interests. Large-scale protests by
the Extinction Rebellion group against the Irish government not
acting fast enough on climate issues caused traffic disruptions in Dublin and
other Irish cities during the past year. Other protests in Dublin involved
groups protesting the Irish Government’s handling of the homeless on the
streets and in temporary accommodations. These protests appeared
to have had no negative impact on tourism, nor were they directed at U.S.
interests. Protests can be well organized and attended. Irish police
presence at these events is generally adequate, although U.S. nationals are
encouraged to avoid areas where protests take place. Historically,
only protests involving U.S. interests might lead to direct targeting of the
U.S. Embassy by protesters. Review OSAC’s report, Surviving
a Protest.
Post-Specific Concerns
Personal
Identity Concerns
Individuals with
disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what
is offered in the United States. Review
the State Department’s webpage on security for travelers with disabilities.
- Government
Buildings: Irish law requires access to government buildings for
persons with disabilities, and this requirement is enforced. Under Irish
law, public service providers should ensure the service is accessible to
those with mobility, sensory, and/or cognitive impairments.
- Parking: On-street
parking, public building parking lots, and internal parking lots always
have a certain number of disabled spaces available. A permit is required
to use these spaces, and information on applying for the permit can be
found on the Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland website.
Local authorities and commercial premises, such as shopping outlets, have
no legal obligation to provide external disabled parking facilities for
their customers.
- Buses and
Trains: The majority of buses and trains in the main city areas of
Ireland are now equipped for those with limited mobility, sight, or
hearing disabilities, although some train stations and pathways may not be
as easily accessible.
- Mainline and
Suburban Trains: Special portable ramps permit boarding from
platforms to the carriages. These ramps are available at all terminal
points and major junctions and stations that have staff on duty. They are
also available on some trains. Travelers are advised to contact Irish Rail in advance to ensure
such facilities are available. The website for Dublin Bus provides information
on its travel assistance scheme. Regional and intercity bus services are
provided by Bus Eireann.
- Private
Businesses: Accessibility in private businesses – such as hotels, bed
and breakfasts, shops, and restaurants – varies widely. Travelers should
inquire about accessibility issues with businesses before making
reservations.
- Disability
Allowance: People who live in Ireland and meet the medical conditions
for a disability allowance may apply for free travel passes; there is also
a blind/invalidity pension from the Irish Department of Social Protection
for those who qualify.
Police Response
Garda is Ireland’s sole provider of policing,
law enforcement, and state security. It included nearly 14,500 members as of
January 2020. Police response times in Ireland are typically slower than
in the United States. Police response to crime in Ireland is generally adequate
and timely within the larger urban areas, especially Dublin,
but considerably slower in the more rural areas of Ireland.
The emergency line in Ireland is 999 or 112 for
police, fire, ambulance, and coast guard from any phone, including
mobiles. For local first responders, refer to the Embassy’s Emergency Assistance page.
Medical Emergencies
In a medical emergency, calling 999 or 112 will
dispatch an ambulance anywhere in Ireland. The ambulance service will take
patients to the closest suitable hospital. There are six 24-hour-service
hospitals in Dublin, with a bed capacity of approximately 3,000 patients.
Emergency room services tend to be oversubscribed: patients can expect waits up
to 12 hours before a doctor sees them. Take children needing hospital
attention to one of three children’s hospitals in the Dublin area: Tallaght,
Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children (Crumlin), or Children’s Hospital Temple
Street. Outside of Dublin, most major cities have hospitals; consult with
emergency services to locate the nearest medical facility. Response time for
air medical evacuation is approximately 4-6 hours. The closest commercial
evacuation service is located at Heathrow International Airport, in
London: +44-17-5365-4751. Find contact information for available medical
services and available air ambulance services on the U.S. Embassy website.
Hospitals do not
accept U.S. insurance as coverage. Patients must pay
all costs up-front at the time of treatment and apply for reimbursement
later. The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends purchasing
international health insurance before traveling internationally. Review the
State Department’s webpage on insurance overseas.
The CDC offers additional information on
vaccines and health guidance for Ireland.
OSAC Country Council
Information
The Country Council in Dublin is
active and meets four times per year. Reach the Regional
Security Officer, who is a permanent member of the Country Council, through the
main switchboard for the U.S. Embassy (+353-1-630-6200). Interested
private-sector security managers should contact OSAC’s Europe Team with
any questions.
U.S. Embassy Contact
Information
U.S. Embassy Ireland is located at 42 Elgin
Road, Ballsbridge Dublin 4
Regular business hours: 0730-1630, Monday –
Friday
Switchboard: +353-01-630-6200; Emergency
after-hours: +353-1-668-8777
Website: https://ie.usembassy.gov/
Helpful Hints
Before you travel, consider the following
resources:
OSAC Risk Matrix
OSAC Travelers Toolkit
State Department Traveler’s Checklist
Smart
Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)