Drones near Dublin during Zelensky visit ‘part of coordinated threat’ – minister

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, Press Association

Reports of drones near Dublin during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit were part of a “coordinated threat”, the justice minister has said.

Jim O’Callaghan said he did not want to speculate on whether it was a state-sponsored incident but said it “certainly wasn’t a back garden drone enthusiast”.

Gardaí are investigating the presence of drones over Ireland during Mr Zelensky’s brief visit to Dublin last week.

Mr Zelensky and Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived in Dublin late on Monday night.

On Tuesday, he met President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Micheál Martin before an address to the Dáil where he said Ireland “understands the price of freedom”.

The Journal first reported that unidentified drones were spotted flying in the north-east of Dublin around the time Mr Zelensky’s plane landed at Dublin Airport, shortly before 11 pm last Monday.

Gardaí said that the Special Detective Unit will be liaising with the Defence Forces and international partners to investigate the incident.

Speaking in Brussels, Mr O’Callaghan said he was “not going to reach a determination yet” on whether it was a state-sponsored incident.

“I think it’s fair to say that we think this is part of a coordinated threat to EU and Ukrainian interests,” he said on Monday.

“Our suspicion is that this was drones that were generated for the purpose of putting pressure on EU and, indeed, Ukrainian interests.

“I have to say, however, that the visit of President Zelensky to Dublin last week was a success.

“The gardaí did a very good job in terms of ensuring that security was at a very high and effective level.

“There’s an investigation ongoing in respect of the presence of drones out in Dublin Bay.

“The gardaí have very good anti-drone technology, and we’re going to be spending more in terms of defence just in terms of seeking to combat drone technology, because, as you’ll see, its not just an issue in respect of Ireland but throughout the European Union there are issues in respect of greater threats being exposed as a result of drone technology.”