Taoiseach Enda Kenny has been advised an Islamist terrorist attack is possible but unlikely to take place in Ireland.

Mr Kenny met with the Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan on Friday for a briefing on security issues.

“The Taoiseach and the Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Defence Paul Kehoe TD today met the Garda Commissioner and the Chief of Staff for a briefing on security matters. Senior officials were also present,” a spokesman for the Taoiseach said.

“The threat assessment remains moderate, that is, an attack is considered possible but not likely. The ongoing close cooperation between the security forces here and with their international counterparts was noted.”

Gardaí and the Defence Forces have been keeping a close eye on a number of suspected supporters of Islamic State based in Ireland.

The Government has been warned previously of a moderate risk of a ’lone wolf’ terrorist attacks.

Assistant Garda Commissioner John O’Mahoney said the threat in Ireland from Islamic State is assessed as “moderate” on a range which goes from low to moderate to substantial to severe to critical.

“In other words Ireland enjoys a relatively benign security environment, with no specific intelligence of a particular threat but a potential threat may exist,” said Mr O’Mahoney.

The meeting with Mr Kenny and Ms O’Sullivan follows events in France and Belgium.