Private airports - Lax security unacceptable

JOHN KINSELLA was sent to jail for ten years yesterday for trying to smuggling €7m worth of heroin and cocaine into Ireland. Kinsella planned to land a hired jet at a private airport but Dutch police intervened and yesterday’s sentencing was the welcome result.

During Kinsella’s trial the presiding judge called for a review of security at private airports where lax standards can facilitate criminals. It might be effective to enact legislation that would allow the authorities close private airports for a period if it is established that they were a conduit for drug smugglers. Repeat offences might mean permanent closure of these backdoor facilities for drug smugglers.

Surely this threat would mean tightened security at all legitimate private airports.