Irish Examiner view: Serious turn for flights of fancy

Drones have evolved into a weapon of war, and in other instances, have become a nuisance

Ireland needs to future-proof its strategy on the use of drones before a bad experience teaches us a lesson. Picture: Larry Cummins

What started out as a flight of fancy in a Steven Spielberg sci-fi movie Minority Report, and turned into a hobbyist’s pastime, has evolved within 20 years into a major industry, which poses significant challenges for security and privacy.

The principal use of drones for some years seemed to be to take scenic pictures of areas such as the Wild Atlantic Way or moody studies of Páirc Uí Chaoimh at sunset. Or to map areas deemed ripe for the development of homes and roads and other infrastructure. Or to assist farmers.