UK Warns Ireland’s Open Visa Policy Could Be Used As A ‘Back Door’ By Russian Spies

Whitehall officials have privately warned that Ireland’s liberal visa regime may be providing a “back door” into the United Kingdom for Russian intelligence operatives, an Irish lawmaker has said.

Barry Andrews, a former Irish children’s minister and Fianna Fáil MEP for Dublin, told reporters that UK officials had raised concerns about the volume of visas Dublin has issued to Russian nationals since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“Ireland doesn’t have the most sophisticated intelligence services compared to the UK. The UK is worried that Ireland is a back door,” Andrews said, adding that many people arrive in Ireland while the country lacks the surveillance capabilities of the United Kingdom.

According to figures cited by Andrews, Ireland has granted about 14,000 visas to Russian nationals since 2022 — an approval rate of roughly 90%.

Speaking to NewsTalk, Andrews said he was concerned that Irish authorities might not be conducting sufficient due diligence on those applications, questioning whether vetting processes are robust enough and whether there are grounds to worry about covert Russian activity on Irish soil.

“Unfortunately, there’s quite a lot of evidence of nefarious activities by Russia in Ireland,” he added, calling for more stringent checks including social-media screening and face-to-face interviews for applicants from Russia and Belarus.

Why Ireland Is Seen As A Vulnerability

Ireland is one of only two EU states outside the Schengen area and participates in the Common Travel Area with the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. That distinction means Ireland uses a separate visa system from Schengen states and can affect movement into the UK.

Irish MEP Barry Andrews says that British officials have voiced fears - Anadolu/Anadolu

Andrews warned that Ireland’s upcoming rotation to hold the EU presidency in July increases its profile and vulnerability, saying the role "puts a target on your back" and pointing to examples where previous holders faced airport closures or alleged infrastructure interference while presiding.

Past Incidents And Wider Concerns

Security sources and recent reporting have increased scrutiny of Russian activity in Ireland. In 2022, four senior Russian diplomats were expelled after the Irish government said their activities were "not in accordance with the international standards of diplomatic behaviour." The Irish Times reported those diplomats had been identified as probable members of the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence service.

Other incidents cited include a refused 2018 planning application by Russian diplomats to expand their Dublin embassy, and 2024 reporting that an unnamed Irish parliamentarian was under criminal investigation over alleged clandestine contacts with Russian intelligence and claims of acting as an agent of influence during Brexit negotiations.

Former TD and ex-army ranger Cathal Berry has warned Ireland can be a "playground" for Russian activity because of its valuable assets and what he described as a weak security culture, noting Ireland’s role as a base for many US multinationals and technology firms.

The Telegraph said it had approached the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for comment.

Key facts: ~14,000 visas issued to Russians since 2022 (≈90% approval); calls from Irish and UK officials for stricter vetting measures; expulsions and investigations have heightened concerns about covert Russian activity.