Unlike in Britain and other countries, enforcement authorities in the Republic have no legal powers to overpower and remove drones through ‘jamming’ technology
Signage at the perimeter of Dublin Airport making clear that it is Illegal to operate drones in the area. Photograph: Nick BradshawGardaí and Airport Police have no legal powers to end the flight of a drone causing a hazard at airports in the Republic, and security sources have told The Irish Times once a drone was in the air it could only be halted by gardaí if they were able to find its operator and take the controls.
The legal lacuna is unlikely to be addressed soon as new legislation being prepared by the Department of Transport was not yet completed and also faces a period of legislative scrutiny before being readied for enactment. In reply to queries, the department confirmed “there is no specific legislation in place that provides for the immobilisation or destruction of a drone on civil aviation safety grounds”.
Informed sources said the Garda was “way behind” developments in Britain, where police have the equipment required to jam a drone signal, resulting in it crashing to the ground or flying to a specified location. It means any drone posing a danger, or security threat, can be instantly halted by aiming a piece of equipment – similar in appearance to a large firearm – at the drone to break the operator’s control over it.
In the wake of flights being grounded for short periods last weekend at Dublin Airport due to three reported drone sightings, Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan met with Garda officers, the Irish Aviation Authority and management at the airport, and conceded the equipment required to forcibly bring down drones was not available in the Republic.
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