Leo Varadkar held an emergency meeting of State security bosses on Wednesday night to discuss the threat of “lawlessness” along the border.
The Taoiseach and Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan brought Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and Defence Forces Chief of Staff Mark Mellet, and other officials into Government Buildings for the urgent summit.
Mr Varadkar was acting after a series of serious incidents in recent weeks highlighted the threat to the rule of law in Ireland.
He said: “It is about three specific issues that have given us cause for concern.
“They are the threats to the lives and safety of the Quinn Insurance directors, the [suspected] involvement of at least five Irish people in human trafficking of migrants and also recent attacks on the Garda station in Emmyvale and also attacks on public representatives, on Martin Kenny TD.
“These are issues that we take in the utmost seriousness.
"They do raise questions about the rule of law in this State and I want to assure people that this State won’t be found wanting in that law and order prevails.
“And that people in border counties can be assured of their peace and their security.
“There has been a very significant increase in the Garda presence in the border counties, there’s an extra gardai 150 assigned there in just the past two years, an extra 50 Garda staff and a new armed support unit is now operating in Cavan.”
Mr Varadkar outlined what the meeting with the State security chiefs would be about.
He said: “We’re looking to talk about how we can provide additional resources for the gardai in the border area.
“I’m going to talk about that with the Garda Commissioner and also what additional action could be taken to ensure that law and order prevails in the area, including greater cross-border co-operation.”
