Gardaí in Cork worked with French police drone experts for first EU Presidency meeting

The experienced drone operators were 'integrated into a Garda operational team' according to a European Commission body charged with strengthening the protection of public places

The French officers are members of the SPAD — or drone unit — of the French Republican Guard and were based in Cork for five days. Picture: High Risk Security Network

Two French police drone experts were present in Cork last week for the first formal meeting of the EU Presidency.

The officers “deployed French counter-UAS [Unmanned Aerial Systems)” during the event — actions authorised and under the direction of An Garda Síochána.

The French officers are members of the SPAD — or drone unit — of the French Republican Guard and were based in Cork for five days, between July 1 and July 4.

The Republican Guard is part of the French Gendarmerie, which is a branch of the French military. It carries out national law enforcement duties.

The experienced drone operators were “integrated into a Garda operational team”, according to a statement from the High-Risk Security Network (HRSN), a European Commission body charged with strengthening the protection of public places.

The statement said the provision of specialist expertise is done through the network’s ‘Pool and Sharing’ initiative.

“As part of the HRSN Pool & Sharing programme two officers from the SPAD (drone unit) of the French Republican Guard were deployed to Cork from 1 to 4 July to support the security operation associated with Ireland’s assumption of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union," it said.

The statement said: “Integrated into a Garda operational team, they deployed French counter-UAS capabilities and shared the expertise developed by the French Gendarmerie through the protection of major international events.” It said the mission highlighted the value of European cooperation and the sharing of operational expertise.

Irish security sources stressed that “all decisions and interventions” are made by gardaí and that there has been “significant capital investment” in mobile Garda counter-drone vans and equipment, with members of a specialist section trained in their use.

The Garda Special Tactics and Operations Command (STOC) is responsible for the force’s counter-drone activity, and its personnel operate the mobile vans and the counter-drone equipment.

The Republican Guard is part of the French Gendarmerie, which is a branch of the French military. It carries out national law enforcement duties. Picture: High Risk Security Network

Many of these are understood to be existing members of Armed Support Units, which are present in most divisions — and were on duty for the EU Presidency event in Cork.

Members of STOC took part in a week-long advanced counter-UAS training course, operated under the HRSN, last month, in preparation for the presidency.

On the eve of Ireland’s presidency, which started on July 1, Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly confirmed there would be foreign police officers assisting them over the six months, including in countering drones.

It is understood that the HRSN will continue to complement Garda operations over the next six months and that it is seen as adding to domestic capabilities.

Irish sources have stressed that it is a “two-way street” and that the Garda is available to support international colleagues in the future as key partners in HRSN.

The sources said that the capabilities and expertise of the Defence Forces adds to Ireland’s response to potential security threats, including from drones.