The “threats facing all of us have changed”, the British ambassador to Ireland has said, as she declared London is “very happy” to partner on security issues in the Irish Sea and beyond. Kara Owen became the British Ambassador to Ireland in September, months after Taoiseach Micheál Martin and British prime minister Keir Starmer announced a programme of co-operation as part of a desire to reset relations. She said she was “really pleased” to be taking on the job in the context of improved relations between Britain and Ireland following a turbulent post-Brexit period. Ms Owen said there was “no doubt” her predecessor Paul Johnston “had a set of really tricky issues to navigate”. Ms Owen spoke to President Catherine Connolly (Brian Lawless/PA)The ambassador is also learning Irish.

Source: Irish Examiner January 02, 2026 11:54 UTC