Revenue confirms risk checks 'from time to time' at private airfields

A light aircraft which was seized by gardai investigating the discovery of €8.4m worth of cocaine. Picture: An Garda Siochana/PA

There are almost 70 private airfields in the country and Customs conducts risk assessments to determine whether “a physical presence is required at these locations from time to time”, according to a Revenue statement.

It follows strong criticism in the criminal courts last week, where a trial judge described as “extraordinary” evidence that private airfields operated as “open corridors” for drug trafficking.