There has also been additional concern over drone technology following a number of attempted attacks in Europe (stock image)

Drones mitigated during recent security events - gardaí

11 Sep 2026, 12:11 · RTE.ie

Gardaí have been able to "mitigate" drones at recent security events, a deputy commissioner has said.

The potential impact of drones on air travel has come into focus ahead of the arrival of US President Donald Trump tomorrow.

A major security operation is in place, and gardaí are liaising with the Defence Forces, US authorities and other international policing partners.

It 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, which have been running since July.

Gardaí are investigating after a drone was sighted by an aircraft arriving in Dublin.

There has also been additional concern over the technology in the wake of an attempted attack in August at Leipzig/Halle Airport in Germany using a drone laden with explosives.

Deputy Commissioner Paul Cleary acknowledged that drones are a "potential threat".

Paul Cleary said gardaí have a drone layer security plan for the US president's visit

He said gardaí "invested heavily in the latest counter drone equipment and training".

Mr Cleary said: "We have for this weekend security event a comprehensive counter drone layer security plan - and part of that includes the collaborative effort with our partners, the Defence Forces, the Secret Service and our international security network."

He added: "In recent events that we have provided security at; the new drone systems have been very effective.

"We have been able to identify, track, and mitigate drones that were where there was a drone enforcement area.

"The ultimate responsibility is to protect the temporary no-fly zone around the security event, and also to mitigate against any drone reporting into that area."

Mr Cleary said a lot of visual sightings of drones are not nefarious and he was "satisfied" that existing systems are picking them up "very effectively" near secure areas.

Commissioner Justin Kelly said gardaí had carried out "an extensive threat and risk assessment for the whole visit".

He said: "I’m happy that we have in place everything that we need to mitigate all the various threats."

He added: "What we have put in place under a sheet from is systems in the last months – particularly with the EU presidency in mind - to track and to mitigate drones."