Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Lisa O'Carroll in Dublin

High court to hear claim of secret Ireland-UK terrorism defence pact

Micheál Martin talking in front of news microphones on the street
The taoiseach, Micheál Martin, has admitted that Ireland must raise its defence spending. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA

A legal bid to establish whether or not the Irish government entered a secret pact with the UK to defend Irish airspace in the event of a terrorist attack will be heard in Ireland’s court of appeal on Friday.

It comes as taoiseach Micheál Martin admits that Ireland’s defence spending, one of the lowest in Europe, “will have to rise amid escalating security threats” including marine subsea cable infrastructure.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.