Evil Islamic State terrorists use charities in Ireland to raise cash for fighters in Syria and Iraq
Compiled by Financial Action Task Force investigators and seen by the Irish Sun on Sunday, it also found there are “some areas of concern” that non-profit organisations here are transferring funds to war zones
EVIL Islamic State terrorists are using charities in Ireland to raise cash for their fighters in Syria and Iraq, a shocking new report has revealed.
Compiled by Financial Action Task Force investigators and seen by the Irish Sun on Sunday, it also found there are “some areas of concern” that non-profit organisations here are transferring funds to war zones.
The ‘Anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing measures Ireland Mutual Evaluation Report 2017’ discovered sympathisers here use “legitimate and illegitimate” sources to raise funds for terror groups.
Based in Paris, the FATF’s role is to highlight the risks posed by money laundering scams run by terrorist and organised crime gangs in Europe’s 27 member states.
The report — also delivered to the Justice Department and the Gardai’s Financial Intelligence Unit — was produced after it emerged London Bridge attacker Rachid Redouane had lived here.
It reads: “Irish authorities acknowledge that such terrorist financing risks do exist and that only small amounts are needed to support terrorist financing.
“There are only a small number of returned foreign fighters and while there is little evidence to show any coordinated approach to fundraising in support of terrorism, there are some areas of concern in relation to the collection of charitable funds within the community.
“There are also concerns over the use and transfer of funds by charities and NPOs to conflict zones, which the authorities will continue to monitor.
“As a result of their efforts to target domestic terrorist groups’ funding sources, the groups’ methods have evolved such as self-funding, taxation, extortion and collection of funds from community gatherings.”
It added: “There are only a small number of individuals in Ireland involved in international terrorism activities and a strong reliance is placed on the financial intelligence received from the gardai to monitor these individuals.
“In respect of foreign terrorist fighters, the authorities are aware of a small number of individuals that travelled to high-risk jurisdictions and those that have returned are under surveillance.
“Most of these individuals are believed to be self-funded and lead a frugal lifestyle. Irish authorities maintain close monitoring of these individuals.
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“Ireland indicated that there was a previous instance of a suspected facilitator of the terrorist network being deported.
“Irish authorities were also pursuing deportation against another individual.”
The report also reveals how a suspect travelled from here to mainland Europe in 2015 to recruit terrorists for a suspected attack.
It concluded: “Initial information indicated that the suspect had departed Ireland using false documentation and travelled to the European mainland.
“Information also indicated the possibility that the subject was seeking out individuals who may have been in a position to assist him in planning a terrorist attack on an unknown target. There was cooperation and it led to the arrest and detention of the suspect by a European country.
“The intelligence was provided by Gardai and was recognised by international partners as being significant in the successful outcome.”
The task force also found a company had been established here to “facilitate” the travel of terrorists.
The report added: “There have been numerous intelligence reports linking this company to the suspected laundering of monies belonging to designated terrorist organisations.
“As a result of the intelligence gathered, the Special Detective Unit were in a position to make a number of arrests and seizures. From a financial point of view this company as well as a large number of individuals receiving monies from it have had their bank accounts closed with Irish financial institutions. The investigation is ongoing.”
The FATF also found how the “investment funds sector” is regarded as a “vulnerable” area for money laundering.
As part of the Gardai’s crackdown on IS sympathisers here, officers from the Counter Terrorism International Unit will continue to monitor those involved in raising funds for IS and other groups.
We revealed previously how investigators are hunting a terror suspect who had been living in south Dublin but has now gone on the run. Officers received intelligence on the suspect — originally from Afghanistan — from the UK’s Metropolitan Police after the London Bridge attack.
Investigators believe the fugitive was providing fake ID and passports to terrorists from Sweden and Denmark who had planned to travel to Syria to join up with IS and serve under its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
Last year, Irish jihadi Khalid Kelly carried out a suicide bombing in the Iraqi city of Mosul on behalf of IS.
Security officials in Ireland have drawn up a list of 30 individuals based abroad that they are tracking.
@SteBreen