Manna refused permission to retain its Dublin drone delivery hub

Sat, 23 May, 2026 - 05:59

Donal O’Keeffe

Drone delivery company Manna Air Delivery has been refused permission for retention of its delivery hub at Porter’s Rd in the Coolmine industrial estate in Dublin 15.

The decision by Fingal County Council is a setback for Manna, which is currently piloting its drone delivery service on Cork City’s southside.

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Some local residents in Cork have already raised the issues of noise pollution and lack of privacy amid the pilot programme.

In 2024, the company was refused retention by Fingal County council for a delivery hub in Clonsilla and had to dismantle the structure.

Last year, Manna was similarly refused planning retention by Fingal’s council for a separate delivery hub at Junction 6 Castleknock and had to dismantle it.

In its findings on the Coolmine delivery hub, Fingal County Council said: “The aerial delivery hub by virtue of its operation results in serious noise pollution.”

Earlier this week, Drone Action Cork held a public meeting to discuss drone operations in Cork City. Picture: Jim Coughlan

It found that the development was “contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, and in addition to being prejudicial to public health”.

John Walsh, a Labour Party councillor in Fingal, said that some supporters of the drone delivery firm had claimed there was a grey area around whether drone companies needed planning permission or not.

“It’s a black and white issue,” he said.

“There is no question that planning permission is required, based on repeated decisions issued by Fingal County Council.”

A spokesperson for Manna said this was an ongoing planning matter and the firm continues to operate in the wider area.