At the Kennedy Summer School in New Ross, Co Wexford, Andrew McLindon, head of communications for An Garda Síochána, highlighted a disturbing trend where organised crime gangs are exploiting vulnerable youth. These gangs are reportedly offering young targets approximately $300 (€260) to travel to another European country to carry out murders, with the expectation that they will film the act. McLindon stated, “They say: ‘We want you to travel to another country, this is the person we want you to shoot, we want you to shoot them and we want you to video them.’ That is happening in northern Europe at the moment and it’s hugely concerning.” The Gardaí have been collaborating with Europol to combat these so-called nihilistic groups, which McLindon described as individuals who exhibit a blatant disregard for human life. He emphasized that these gangs are targeting young people through online platforms, effectively radicalizing them and promoting a lifestyle associated with organised crime. McLindon further explained that these groups are competing to inflict harm, often targeting vulnerable individuals through social media and gaming sites that glamorize violence and suicidal ideation. He noted, “We are seeing the situation accelerating all the time and the harm to young people accelerating as well.” In a related discussion, Children’s Ombudsman Niall Muldoon commented on the recent $16.7 billion settlement involving Meta, underscoring the company’s efforts to protect its profits. He remarked that the promised algorithmic changes aimed at reducing harmful conduct and nighttime usage by minors represent a significant step forward in safeguarding youth online. Prepared and Edited by AboMatrix