An Garda Síochána is understood to be carrying out a “fact-finding” exercise after President Michael D Higgins stated that the Israeli Embassy in Dublin circulated an official letter he sent to Iran.
The letter was published in a British publication, the Jewish Chronicle, and attracted strong criticism from a number of international security academics and some Irish politicians, including within Fine Gael.
Speaking at the UN in New York on Sunday, President Higgins said he believed the letter had been circulated by the Israeli embassy, but that he did not know how the Israelis obtained it.
“You should ask where the criticism came from and how the letter was circulated and by whom and for what purpose,” he said. Mr Higgins said that he had written to the new Iranian President as a new head of state.
Pressed as to where he believed the letter came from, Mr Higgins said: “It was circulated from the Israeli embassy.”
It is understood that the Garda National Crime & Security Intelligence Service, which is the lead agency responsible for internal security, is carrying out inquiries on the matter.
This is believed to be a “fact-finding” exercise and not a formal investigation. It is thought that officers will be in contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the President’s Office in relation to the matter.
It is possible that the contents of the letter may not have been accessed in Ireland and that this could have happened in Iran or elsewhere in the Middle East, where Israel is believed to conduct extensive surveillance and interception measures.
The Israel Embassy in Dublin has completely rejected the assertions of the President.
In a statement, it said: “Unfortunately in Ireland, since the October 7 invasion by Hamas and massacre in Israel, which triggered this awful war, Israel has been subjected to a high level of malicious statements and accusations that have often manifested as incitement to hatred.
“This baseless accusation is highly inflammatory and potentially slanderous, and the embassy rejects it completely. The fact remains that the letter was written and therefore it is the burden of the author to defend its content, which did not mention the threat Iran poses in the region.”