Gardaí have said there will be increased garda patrols at centres and events for the Irish Jewish community following the terrorist attack targeting the Jewish community in Sydney this morning.
Liaison inspectors have been appointed to ensure gardaí continue to provide members of the Jewish community with support.
Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan said he spoke to the Garda Commissioner this evening about ensuring there is adequate protection for the Jewish community in Ireland.
"In fact, I spoke to him many months ago about ensuring that such protection was in place for the Jewish community.
"The commissioner has assured me and the Chief Rabbi of his commitment to the safety of the Jewish community.
"I am attending an Hanukkah event tomorrow to sympathise and stand in solidarity with the Jewish community in Ireland," the Minister said.
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"I want to reassure them of our support in the aftermath of the appalling terrorist attack in Sydney."
New South Wales Police confirmed at least 12 people were killed in the attack at Bondi Beach.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is "not aware" of any Irish citizens who have been "impacted directly" by the attack.
In a statement this morning, Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee said: "Our consulate in Sydney is continuing to monitor events and will remain in close contact with Irish citizens and the community locally."
President Catherine Connolly offered condolences on behalf of the people of Ireland to the Jewish community after what she described as an "appalling and anti-Semitic attack".
"I particularly join with all those Irish people living in Sydney who will be appalled by this horrific act of violence. Such violence is to be utterly condemned and has no place for all of us who are committed to peace in our world."
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was "shocked and appalled" by the attack.
Mr Martin said: "Our prayers go to the families and friends of those lost, the injured, first responders, and people of Australia at this distressing time.
"Such hate and violence can never be tolerated."
Tánaiste Simon Harris said he was "horrified" by the incident.
"Our thoughts are with all those impacted and their families, with the people of Australia and the Jewish community during this time of profound pain. The spectre of hate and violence must never be tolerated."
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Bondi attack classed as 'terror incident' targeting Jews
'Violence and terror of this nature does not arise in a vacuum'
The Chair of the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland has said the Jewish community in Ireland stands in solidarity with the community in Australia, adding that "violence and terror of this nature does not arise in a vacuum.
"The Jewish community in Ireland extends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of those brutally murdered and seriously injured on Bondi Beach earlier today," Maurice Cohen said in a statement.
He added: "No community should live with fear that ordinary places of life and leisure can become scenes of terror.
"This was a horrific atrocity.
"It is time for leaders in all countries to examine their words and their actions and to reflect honestly on whether rhetoric that dehumanises, inflames or excuses hatred has consequences."
Taoiseach, Tánaiste 'complicit' in escalation of anti-Semitism - Shatter
Former minister for justice Alan Shatter has described the shooting as an "anti-Semitic atrocity", and is "another warning of what anti-Semitic hate speech leads to".
In a statement, Mr Shatter also claimed the Taoiseach and Tánaiste were "directly complicit" in what he called the Government's "unbalanced toxic rhetoric and conduct relating to the Israel-Gaza war" which he said has "contributed to escalating anti-Semitism in Ireland".
"Toxic debates in our parliament, protests on our streets, the conduct of political parties, trade unions, university boards, the IPSC and its myriad sub groups have normalised anti-Semitic rhetoric and anti-Semitism. Irish social media posts are a cesspool of antisemitism, antisemitic abuse and threats.
"Irish sport is increasingly contaminated and Jewish children feel intimidated in our schools and are being bullied," he said.
Mr Shatter said that now, "unprecedented security" was required at the location of Irish Jewish institutions.
Fine Gael TD Emer Higgins has said that she rejects former Minister for Defence Alan Shatter's claims that the Taoiseach and Tánaiste have been directly complicit in the escalation of anti-Semitism in Ireland.
After #BondiBeach attack, @lawlor_aine asks Minister of State @EmerHigginsTD
— The Week in Politics (@rtetwip) December 14, 2025
about former Minister for Justice Alan Shatter's statement, accusing the Taoiseach and Tánaiste of being "directly complicit" of "escalating antisemitism" in Ireland.
📺 pic.twitter.com/vV9eBs6YxA
Speaking on RTÉ's The Week in Politics, she said that she did not think the claims were "fair" or "accurate".
"I totally reject that. I don't think that's in any way fair. I don't think it's true, I don't think it's accurate," she said.
"I know the former minister is referring to what he calls toxic debates in the Houses of the Oireachtas. I don't think that is in any way a fair representation as to what happens in our national parliament."
Ms Higgins said that Mr Shatter's comments "lacked balance".
"The Tánaiste has been very strong on this in his statement today. He absolutely condemned the attack in Bondi Beach," she said.
