Gardaí will review security checks on mail in An Post and at airports and ports following the parcel bomb attacks in London.
The review will examine the possibility of tightening up security procedures and the threat posed by devices igniting while being handled by postal, airline or ferry staff or the risk of such an ignition happening during a flight or a sailing.
Sources said the review was standard in response to a security incident and did not necessarily mean there was any fault in current systems.
Gardaí are conducting an investigation after it emerged that the three incendiary devices sent to three London transportation hubs on Tuesday appeared to have been posted in Ireland.
Sources said a security review would run in parallel with the criminal investigation into who sent the parcels.
The Garda Security and Intelligence Section at Garda HQ is involved in the review, while the Special Detective Unit is leading the criminal investigation.
“All of these issues are looked at every time there is an incident,” said one security source.
This could involve dialogue with An Post and others. This could involve training, what to look out for, but this is not a guarantee you could spot such devices.
The source said that while such parcel bombs typically involved “robust movement” to ignite, such as tearing or ripping open an envelope, it “depended on how they were packaged”.
The source said: “There are transportation concerns. There is potential it could go off when it travels. But it’s very difficult to screen everything, particularly if they are well concealed or protected.”
The source said there was screening at An Post sorting offices, but said there were literally millions of packages and that suspect packages would get attention.
Another source said scanning of parcels was conducted by airline and security authorities, not An Post.
An Post told the Irish Examiner: “We are working closely with the Gardaí on this investigation. Ensuring the safety and security of our people as they transport, sort and deliver mail is our number one priority.
“An Post has procedures in place for dealing with suspect packages and an expert security team to manage such incidents, and train and advise staff and managers on an ongoing basis.”
Dublin Airport Authority said security issues around cargo on aircraft was a matter for the airlines.
The Irish Examiner was unsuccessful in getting a response from Aer Lingus or Ryanair.
Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said he reacted with “dismay, anger, and embarrassment” at what he said was the “warped thinking” behind the attacks.
The Department of Justice said Minister Charlie Flanagan had been briefed and Garda authorities were in “close and continuous contact with their UK counterparts”.
