The Dublin Airport drone incidents were a number of incursions of drones into airspace around Dublin Airport, including a series in early 2023, which caused disruption of airport operations. It is illegal to fly a UAV within 5km (03miles) of an airport in Ireland.
Airport operations were suspended for around 20 minutes, on the afternoon of 27 March 2022, due to a UAV being flown near the airport.[1]
The following year, on 24 January 2023, flight operations were disrupted for half an hour, leading to two flights being diverted to other airports.[2]
On 3 February 2023, four flights were diverted as a result of a drone being reported near the airport.[3] Dublin Airport Authority investigated and found there had been no drone there that day. The following day, 4 February, flights were disrupted for about 45 minutes after two confirmed drone sightings.[4] Flights were again disrupted, on 6 February, for approximately 40 minutes.[5] Later that month, on 21 February, operations were suspended for around 30 minutes due to a similar UAV sighting.[6]
After the incidents in early February, Minister Eamon Ryan and Minister of State Jack Chambers met with Gardaí and representatives of the regulator, the Irish Aviation Authority, and the airport operator, the Dublin Airport Authority, to discuss the disruptions.[5] Ryan said that the government was supporting Dublin Airport and looking into methods to deter drones.[5] Ryanair called for the government to take immediate action as four of its aircraft could not land on 6 February 2023.[5]
On 2 March 2023, airport operations were once again suspended, for around 30 minutes, also due to a drone sighting.[7]
On 10 February 2023 a 50-year-old man was charged under the Air Navigation and Transport Act with unlawfully and intentionally interfering with airport operations by flying a UAV on the Naul Road in Cloughran, in the 300 metre critical area which was likely to interfere with aircraft operation.[2] The offence carries a penalty of up to life imprisonment, and the legislation does not allow for a suspended sentence or probation.[2] He made no reply to the charge and was released on bail.[2] He was scheduled to appear before the court on 14 April 2023.[2]
On 14 April 2023, a detective told the judge that the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed "trial on indictment", meaning that the man may face a jury trial in the Circuit Court, which can impose longer sentences than the District Court.[8] The defence solicitor was granted an order for disclosure of prosecution evidence.[8] The judge warned that breaching the bail terms would result in Gardaí seeking revocation of bail.[8] The judge granted legal aid after hearing the man was in employment but received less than €500 per week.[8] The judge ordered the man to appear before a court again in six weeks time to indicate a plea and confirm the venue of his trial.[8]
As of February 2024, it was reported that the case had been "sent forward for trial to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court".[9]