The White van used in Saturday night’s terror attack in London

IT has emerged today that one of the London attackers shot dead by police had lived in Ireland for a time.

As a result the Garda Commissioner is holding a special meeting of security and intelligence officers in Garda Headquarters at Phoenix Park, Dublin.

Gardaí have confirmed that an Irish identity card was found on one of the three attackers shot dead by police in London.

He was not however known to the gardaí here and did not come to their attention in relation to any crime or security issues.

The man is believed to have been of Moroccan origin and officers at the Garda National Immigration Bureau are checking records to establish his residency and marital status while he was living here.

The man could have been legally resident in Ireland if he had been granted a GNIB identity card or an Irish EU Fam Card.

A GNIB card is a residency card issued by the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

An EU Fam card is issued by immigration officials in other EU countries to non EU nationals who can prove they are in a relationship with an EU National.

It is believed the Moroccan man was married to a woman from Scotland and lived in Dublin while in Ireland.

Gardaí are working closely with the British security and intelligence agencies in relation to their investigation.

The meeting at Garda Headquarters this morning is being chaired by Nóirín O’Sullivan and includes senior officers in Crime and Security, the Special Detective Unit and the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

The meeting is being held to collate the information so far gathered on the attacker while he was in Ireland, decide how best to continue to co-operate with and share information with the British authorities and review ongoing security arrangements here.

A garda liaison officer based in the UK is in direct contact with the police and intelligence services there to enable the sharing and assessment of relevant information and intelligence

The gardaí also work through Europol and Interpol.

The threat assessment level in Ireland at the moment is moderate, meaning an attack is possible but unlikely.

The Department of Justice issued a statement on the threat assessment, saying: “The expert threat assessment is that while an attack here is possible it is unlikely and that there is no specific information in relation to any threat to Ireland from international terrorism.

“That said the level of threat from this source is kept under constant and active review by An Garda Síochána.

“The Commissioner makes an assessment based on a range of factors including current available intelligence, knowledge of capabilities, events outside the State and the current international climate.

“She consults with the Chief of Staff in making the assessment.”