Taoiseach says offshore counter-drone technology being pursued ahead of Trump visit
Taoiseach Micheal Martin speaking to reporters before a Cabinet meeting. Picture: Cillian Sherlock /PA Wire
Procurement of offshore counter-drone technology is “being pursued”, the Taoiseach said, after a large drone was reported off Ireland’s east coast days ahead of a visit by US president Donald Trump.
Mr Trump is to visit Ireland on Saturday and Sunday, where he will meet political leaders and also attend the Irish Open golf tournament.
A major security operation is in place for his arrival, with the Defence Forces co-ordinating operations with An Garda Síochána.
The visit 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.
Micheál Martin said on Wednesday that “a lot of preparatory work” had been undertaken on the country’s counter-drone capabilities, stating that An Garda Síochána had “resourced the situation very significantly” in terms of its on-land capability.
However, he added: “There is more to do offshore, and that work is under way.
“That procurement is under way and that’s a very active programme that is being pursued.
“But certainly, An Garda Síochána in advance of the EU presidency had secured the drone technology capacity that they required.”
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Ireland’s air traffic control provider AirNav confirmed that an aircraft arriving into Dublin on Tuesday evening reported a possible drone sighting.
It said a safety report was filed and the sighting was reported to An Garda Síochána.
An Garda Síochána said it was investigating the reports “in conjunction with the relevant authorities”.
Mr Martin urged caution and stressed that the report was “unverified at the moment”, but added: “That’s being investigated by An Garda Síochána along with the Defence Forces.” He said he expected to be briefed on the matter on Wednesday.
More generally, he told reporters before Cabinet: “We have strengthened our resilience very significantly in terms of drone technology, particularly in An Garda Síochána, and likewise in terms of our military community.”
Asked if the incident had undermined the level of investment in security thus far, Mr Martin said: “All we have at the moment is an unverified sighting – so we have to keep everything in perspective.”
He made reference to incidents involving drones in other countries, including an attempted attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport on August 4 using a drone laden with explosives.
“We see in Germany what happens so we’re very alert to it in terms of the Leipzig incident, we saw what happened in Denmark during the presidency where it saw assistance from other member states of the European Union also.”
He added: “Irrespective of how far we would advance our capacities, we would always need and other countries and member states to collaborate, cooperate, and support in terms of making sure that we’re fully on top of any situation that emerges.”
Also before Cabinet, Tánaiste Simon Harris said: “I do know that the gardaí and the Defence Forces take our national security and the security and safety of our country very, very seriously.
“We have invested a lot in our capabilities in this space in recent time, and I think you’ve seen a number of major events take place in Ireland as part of our EU presidency, that have been policed and defended to a very high degree.”
He added: “We take our national security very seriously. We’re investing more in it than ever before, and we’ll be taking all necessary precautions in preparation for the visit of President Trump this weekend.”
The US president will be in Ireland on September 12 and 13 for engagements in the capital, Dublin, as well as at his golf resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare, which will be hosting the Irish Open.
Arrangements are being finalised, but it is understood Mr Trump will be greeted by Tánaiste Simon Harris at Dublin Airport on Saturday.
He is then expected to meet President Catherine Connolly, a long-standing critic of Mr Trump, at her official residence, Áras an Uachtaráin in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, before a nearby engagement with Mr Martin at the Farmleigh Estate.
He will then travel to Doonbeg for the Open.
The Defence Forces have been onboarding new “ground-based air defence” (GBAD) capabilities in the last six months, with the counter-drone technology operational since the start of the presidency.
The “advanced” mobile SkyWarden system can be deployed around the country following a Garda request.
It has been widely reported that UK and French naval vessels have also been asked to provide air defence cover during the presidency.
The Defence Forces and Department of Defence would not comment on the reports.
However, it has been acknowledged that the Defence Forces liaised with EU counterparts – especially those who previously held the presidency – prior to July.
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