Ireland fears undersea cables face growing threat from ‘malign actors’

Ireland is concerned that undersea cables in and near its waters face a growing risk of interference, including from vessels linked to Russia. The cables carry most international data and support financial activity, while Ireland’s location makes it strategically important to links between North America and Europe.

The Irish government says about 75 per cent of transatlantic subsea cables pass through or near Irish waters. Concerns have grown after Russian vessel Yantar was monitored near undersea infrastructure and after cable damage in the Baltic Sea; Ireland has limited maritime surveillance and is militarily neutral. Recent legal changes give its navy greater powers to board and inspect suspicious vessels.