Drones ‘mitigated’ during recent security events, gardaí say

Deputy Commissioner Paul Cleary (Brian Lawless/PA)

Gardaí have been able to “mitigate” drones at recent security events, a deputy commissioner has said.

The potential impact of drones on air travel has come into focus ahead of the arrival in Ireland of US President Donald Trump on Saturday.

A major security operation is in place, and An Garda Síochána is liaising with the Defence Forces, US authorities and other international policing partners.

It poses additional logistical headaches for security services as it comes amid several major meetings for Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union, which have been running since July.

Gardaí are investigating after a drone was sighted by an aircraft arriving in Dublin.

There has also been additional concern over the technology in the wake of an attempted attack in August at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany using a drone laden with explosives.

On Friday, Deputy Commissioner Paul Cleary told reporters: “In recent events that we have provided security at, the new drone systems have been very effective.

“We have been able to identify, track, and mitigate drones where there was a drone enforcement area.

“The ultimate responsibility is to protect the temporary no-fly zone around the security event, and also to mitigate against any drone reporting into that area.”