New bomb threats target Irish media, more flights

Over the past few days, bomb threats have caused multiple flights to be grounded across Europe. Now, Irish media outlets have also become targets of these threats. Irish public broadcaster Raidio Teilifis Eireann (RTE) announced on Friday that its buildings were evacuated after receiving a bomb threat. Other media organizations have also been taking security measures in response. These threats occur just days before Dublin hosts a high-level European Union meeting, during which it holds the rotating EU presidency.

An RTE reporter stated that the group claiming responsibility for the Friday's bomb threats is the same one that had sent threats to airlines earlier in the week. Irish Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris told Cork 96FM radio that it is unclear whether the threats are originating from an individual or a coordinated effort. He described the situation as "serious and evolving."

Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin called the developments "worrying," but assured that the Gardai (Irish police) and Defense Forces are investigating the suspects behind the threats. He also urged organizations to take any similar threat seriously and report it to the police to have a "picture of what's happening."

Martin remarked that such unconventional activities are designed to disrupt society and cause fear and anxiety. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the ability to hold meetings like the upcoming EU gathering in Dublin. More than two dozen flights were affected by threats this week, with additional incidents reported on Friday.

Police in Denmark and the Czech Republic responded to threats that turned out to be false. A Romanian flight operated by Tarom, traveling from Prague to Bucharest, received a threat but landed safely at its intended destination. Police in Copenhagen stated they had been at the airport for the second day in a row due to threats directed at air traffic, but there was no danger to passengers or disruption to flights.

While bomb threats are not unusual, a wave of threats in such a short time is uncommon, especially at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions with Russia and a series of hybrid attacks that have disrupted Europe.