As first reported by The Journal, Irish security services are examining a significant drone incursion that occurred during the arrival of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Dublin.
According to the outlet, four large drones of military specification entered a restricted zone late on Monday night and flew close to the flight path of the visiting aircraft.
The drones reportedly reached the point where Zelenskyy’s plane had been expected to pass and then shifted toward the LÉ William Butler Yeats, a Naval Service vessel covertly deployed in the Irish Sea for the visit. The Journal noted that the drones remained within twelve nautical miles of the Irish coast, placing them squarely inside Irish controlled waters.
Security sources cited by The Journal described the drones as large, expensive, and consistent with state level capability. The outlet reported that the incident is being assessed as a potential hybrid attack, a form of coercive activity that uses military and non military tools to weaken or disrupt a target without triggering open conflict.
A decision was taken not to shoot down the drones. According to The Journal, the LÉ William Butler Yeats lacked the systems required to disable or intercept them, and handheld drone disruption gear available to Gardaí was out of range. The vessel has no radar system suited to counter unmanned aircraft, leaving only machine guns as a theoretical option. An Air Corps aircraft was present but did not engage.
The Journal also reports that the drones may have launched from the north east of Dublin, possibly near Howth, although the possibility of an undetected ship based launch has not been ruled out. The drones remained airborne for up to two hours. Investigators have not identified the controllers or the current location of the craft.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly and senior ministers were briefed in the early hours following the incident. The Journal notes that it is unclear whether Zelenskyy’s delegation was informed. The Defence Forces issued a statement saying that for operational security reasons they would not comment on specifics, but confirmed that support to the Garda led security operation was provided through multiple means.
‘A decision was taken not to shoot down the drones.’
Given the lack of options available that’s priceless !
Yup and highlights just how pathetic Europe in its entirety (including the UK) has become. Just been reading on another page completely unrelated that we have to import copper because we no longer make it here. Given the use of copper in wires, bullets and other systems to defend ourselves this is an indication of diaaster
The UK has imported nearly all it’s copper since the start of the 20th century. The primary sources of copper in Cornwall and Wales were exhausted.
We import oil, cap badges for the army, uniforms, tanks, planes, bullets, guns, ambulances, ships… Kine of this makes for a sustainable military capable of fighting a war. We need to stop this stupidity and start digging stuff out of the ground and making it into what we need. Yes we will even have to explore and start mining some stuff but the tin, copper and the rest in Devon and Cornwall will go under the sea and probably up through Wales, just need to find it
Agree, poor statement.
I am sure the Irish could launch some children’s kite’s to attempt to intercept the drones.
Failing that, maybe some of their larger lads to throw rugby balls at them
More chance with the rugby balls than anything else… oops there is nothing else so much for neutrality protecting yourself and your citizens. Now if it had been at sea then some Irish fishing vessels would be enough 😂
I read that the NROs satellites are so sensitive they can read a newspaper from Space.
A missile launched from anywhere in the world is picked up by NSA and NORAD.
And they don’t know who is behind all this?
Drones launched from s ship, all ships are tracked.
Come on.
This stuff is being kept with a lid on for a reason.
MSM drip feed mate. Government propaganda for whatever reason. I am at the stage in life now I ask “did it really happen”?
Indeed. Never read MSM and believe a word without questioning their agenda. Or at least read several to get a better view.
This started in Jersey last year and has gone v quiet there on MSM since.
russia has zero interest in provoking europe, this is either another false flag operation by ukraine (like nord steram2), or the EU trying to prepare it’s populations for war, alongside all the other preparations going on
you’d have to be really dozy to fall for this as russian
The Irish have to start defending their country. Putin does not card if they are neutral, In any case how can you be neutral against evil….
Semi-serious question.
Did the Irish have a navy back in Cold War days?