Police in Ireland have arrested more than one person a week in connection with terrorism related activities, new figures claim.

Figures from 2012 show that police in Ireland arrested more suspects for terrorism last year than all but two other police forces in the European Union.

A Europol report on the threat from terrorism across the EU showed that the Garda’s Special Detective Unit arrested 66 terror suspects in 2012.

The number of arrests were slightly down from the 2011’s figures, when 69 suspects were detained.

The Terrorism Situation and Trend report states, “DR (dissident republican) groups also have a presence in the Republic of Ire-land, where their primary activities are focused on providing financial and logistical support for attacks in Northern Ireland.

“Security force activity resulted in significant numbers of arrests, disruptions and the recovery of terrorist material.

“The primary targets for these terrorists are police officers, soldiers and prison officers.”

“However, it is assessed that all DR groups retain the capability to conduct further attacks.”

The annual report offers law enforcement officials, policymakers and the general public facts and figures regarding terrorism in the EU.

TE-SAT 2013 EU Terrorism Situation and Trend Report