O'Callaghan: Gardaí have tech to respond to drone threats during EU presidency 

Gardaí have the appropriate technology to respond to any threats from drones on land, the Justice Minister has said as concerns escalate about security ahead of Ireland’s EU presidency.

The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI), meeting for their annual conference this week, has raised concerns that with current resources, gardaí will be under extreme pressure to effectively police the country during the presidency.

Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said he has secured an extra €125m for the Gardaí specifically for the EU presidency.

He said gardaí will be given “any resources that they require” and will be “well prepared” to police the presidency.

But concerns were raised after military-style drones were spotted by the navy off Ireland’s east coast in December during the Ukrainian President’s planned State visit.

Multiple drones breached a no-fly zone and flew towards the planned flight path of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as he was due to approach Dublin Airport.

The drone incursion is under investigation by the gardaí’s Special Detective Unit.

Mr O’Callaghan said he has received briefings on the incident.

“I'm very confident that the Gardaí have the appropriate technology to respond to any threats that may arise from drones on land where their jurisdiction operates,” he said.

Although he said he did not know definitively who was behind the drone incursion, he said he “may have suspicions” which he would not share.

He accepted that the EU presidency would present “a huge policing task” for Ireland.

Ireland will assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July 1 to December 31, 2026. The role will involve chairing Council meetings, steering complex negotiations and frequently hosting senior politicians and world leaders.

“I've been speaking to the [Garda] Commissioner consistently about it over the past number of months,” Mr O'Callaghan said.

“I believe the Garda Síochána will be well prepared for it and any resources that they require will be provided.” 

While in Mayo, Mr O'Callaghan was asked why Martina and Ammi Burke, part of the conservative and well-known evangelical Christian family from the county, had not yet been arrested and jailed for contempt of court.

A warrant was issued for the arrest and jailing of the mother and sister of Enoch Burke on March 4. But they have evaded arrest since.

The warrant for their arrest and imprisonment for two weeks was due to contempt of court after they were "roaring and shouting" at a hearing of Enoch Burke's on February 20, which resulted in the hearing being suspended.

Mr O'Callaghan said that although the Burkes' case was high profile, that should not necessarily mean that it got more garda attention.

"I wouldn't like to see the gardaí directing more attention at a case because it's high-profile," Mr O'Callaghan said.

"They have to be able to determine themselves where their priorities are. There are warrants out for the arrest of the two individuals.

"That will be given effect to in due course. Obviously, it's a matter for the gardaí to be able to identify where they are, but I believe that the law ultimately will be upheld."

Mr O’Callaghan was speaking at the 48th annual conference of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI).

Some 165 Garda Sergeants and Inspectors will attend this year’s conference in Westport, Co Mayo, which began today and runs until Wednesday.