Gardaí ask drone operators to keep away from search for missing boy
By Bairbre Holmes, PA
Drone operators have been told to stay away from the area where gardaí are searching for a missing boy who is feared dead.
The child, who would be seven years old if still alive, has not been seen in several years.
Investigators have been examining an area of open ground in Donabate, Dublin, since September 1st.
In a statement, gardaí said two unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, were detected at the site on Tuesday and Wednesday.
NO DRONE ZONE: restrictions are now in force in Donabate & Portrane areas as per T1 Geozone requested by An Garda Siochana.
You cannot fly here without approval of the Zone Authority from 9/9/25 15:00 to 16/09/25 at 23:59
Further details at https://t.co/IT1KdKZWO6@Fingalcoco… pic.twitter.com/0mrcE3aUys— IAA (@IAApress) September 11, 2025
One operator claimed to be working on behalf of a media organisation.
On Thursday, An Garda Siochána issued an appeal for “the space and time to carry out this search operation sensitively and sympathetically for everybody involved”.
Airspace restrictions have been in place around the site since September 2nd, and breaches of restrictions are investigated by both gardaí and the Irish Aviation Authority.
