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LAST UPDATE | 8 Feb 2023
DRONES CAUSING DISRUPTIONS at airports and events is “a statewide issue” that needs to be tackled with harsher penalties such as longer prison sentences, the Chief Executive Officer of DAA (formerly the Dublin Airport Authority) has said.
Kenny Jacobs was speaking after illegal drone activity resulted in several flights being delayed or diverted at Dublin Airport over the weekend.
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan and Minister of State for International Road Transport Jack Chambers met with representatives from the DAA, the Irish Aviation Authority, the Department of Justice and gardaí yesterday evening to discuss the issue.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1′s Morning Ireland today, Jacobs said there was “a number of conclusions” from the discussion and that further meetings will take place.
“There are a number of things that can be done to prevent this. This is not a matter for just Dublin Airport, that’s the first thing I’d like to say. Next weekend, this could happen at Shannon Airport.
“It could also happen over the Aviva Stadium while Ireland are playing France and that match could be disrupted because of drones. So I think this is a statewide issue.”
Jacobs said that DAA shares data from its drone detection system with gardaí, who can bring forward prosecutions. He noted that such prosecutions carry a maximum sentence of seven years, but said this should be increased.
“In the UK, they’ve increased that to a maximum life sentence for people that are flying drones over an airfield.
“So I think getting the system in place to take drones down is something that would be good for the State ,and increasing the sentencing.
“So that if people are breaking the law, and they are breaking the law if they fly a drone near Dublin airport or any airport, there needs to be draconian sentencing in place.”
Jacobs said that Dublin Airport has a drone detection system which was deployed during 16 disruptions last weekend to ensure passenger safety.
However, he said more needs to be done by State authorities.
Jacobs noted how, after Gatwick Airport was brought to a standstill in 2018 due to drones in the airfield, the British Government and the Metropolitan Police intervened.
“Since then, the UK Government has implemented a drone countermeasure defence system – that’s not operated by Gatwick Airport, it’s not operated by Heathrow. It’s actually operated by the Metropolitan Police in London.
“So that is a defence system that allows the police in the case of London to take control of a drone, to send it back where it came from, jam the signal, or they can bring it down if they have to.”
Jacobs said that DAA has given a number of recommendations to the Government.
This goes beyond Dublin Airport, it’s not a matter for us to sort this out. I think it’s a statewide issue, probably more defence and justice than it is transport.
“Our recommendations on what should be done, I think are two things – first of all, have a system to counter drones. That is something that allows you to stop drones, something that allows you to bring a drone down if it’s over an airfield…
“Practically, that’s a piece of technology that will signal jam a drone and will also allow you to bring that drone down in a controlled manner [by] using air frequency, using the frequency that the drone is controlled with, you’re overriding that and bringing it down.”
Handheld anti drone devices
Security sources say that gardaí have looked at the use of specialist devices to bring down the drones safely.
The devices are similar to the EDM4S, or Electronic Drone Mitigation System, and send an electromagnetic signal to the offending drone and take control of it.
The handheld devices are being used in Ukraine to good effect against Russian drones and European countries such as France have deployed them to their airports.
Sources have said this is the most likely and safest method to deal with the problem as shooting and netting was deemed unsafe.
Senator Gerard Craughwell, a member of the Oireachtas Transport Committee due to meet today, said he will raise the issue at the committee.
“We need to look at getting these devices as a matter of urgency. Any device to keep our airports clear of drones are urgently needed. We need to ensure that aircraft can take off and land – this is a safety and security issue and the quicker this is solved the better.
“This is an emergency situation and we need to obtain these devices now and make sure that we don’t get bogged down in lengthy procurement procedures.
“The fact that aircraft are being diverted because of this issue is not just an inconvenience this is costing thousands and thousands of euros every minute.
“There had been a mention that helicopters with netting could be used but the anti-drone devices would be much more efficient and would be small money compare to the delays incurred,” he said.
A statement released the Department of Transport yesterday evening noted that ministers “will engage across Government to strengthen our ability to deal with such incidents, including exploring the potential for enhanced technological solutions”.
“A policy framework for unmanned aircraft system (drones) is also in development and will include measures on enforcement and compliance. The policy framework is scheduled for publication in Q2 2023 and will be preceded by a period of public consultation,” the statement added.
With additional reporting from Niall O’Connor.
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Hi journal could you please print more articles like this so I can show them to my girlfriend and convince her that me buying a Ps4 will not turn me into a sedentary immobile cabbage as she seems to believe it would? Thanka
Forget about your ps4 and build a pc for gaming :)
is that not a good bit more expensive/hassle? Though it has the Trojan horse advantage that I could pretend Im dropping a grand on it for its amazing word processing capabilities only to “discover” it can be used for games too once its in the door!
If you love gaming you’ll know the difference between console and PC gaming and money won’t come into it :)
My gaming pc only cost 200 more than my xbox one/ps4. The extra you spend you will save after buying 10 full price AAA games from steam.
Pc can be built for €600 and upgraded when needed. Lasts longer and games are cheaper.
Gaming PC pffft. How long are you waiting to play Gta 5 now?
I’d love to build a gaming PC someday.
T
Great piece. I’d even argue that games in themselves are a great stress reliever, without even trying to establish the link as directly as you have with the PIP. I find them great for blowing off some steam.
So sick of the ridiculous articles about games and ‘de-sensitising’ that do the rounds every so often, nice to read one without the scare-mongering!
I think it depends a lot on the type of game and the player’s personality. When I play CS:GO I don’t usually find it relaxing. Fun, yes, but stressful! Skyrim I find relaxing and I play a game called Cue Club. I think that open world games can be the best for relaxing and de-stressing (although a lot can be said for unloading a machine gun into a swarm of monsters attacking you!) as you can usually do whatever you like. I remember playing GTA3 years ago and just driving around. That’s it. Having fun driving around the city and trying out different vehicles.
I’d agree that gaming is a nice way to put the feet up and relax… right up to the point where I discovered Dark Souls and my blood pressure has never been the same since!
I hear that game is brutally tough, lol.
I’ve started playing Risk of Rain. It’s fun but you will die a lot. Like most roguelikes.
Games are for children. Any grown man playing computer games deserves to be neutered at the balls.
Newsflash many games aren’t actually made for children, the biggest selling games are always over 18′s and the average age of a typical “gamer” is actually 31 http://venturebeat.com/2014/04/29/gaming-advocacy-group-the-average-gamer-is-31-and-most-play-on-a-console/
Closer inspection of your profile pic and the name ‘anto’ has ruled your opinion null and void.
Games are for children? Really? Have you heard of F.E.A.R., Amnesia the dark descent, GTA, Silent Hill or Dead Space? Don’t think the developers had children as their target market there.
Or you could do some exercise or something useful. Gaming is an absolute waste of time. It’s bad enough children playing but anyone still interested in games as an adult needs to grow up.
I don’t have a TV. I agree most programming these days is even more moronic than wasting your life prancing around virtual reality.
I bet you sit on the sofa like a lemon watching rubbish tv shows on your laptop while your brain melts away. At least with gaming you’re using it.
Touch a nerve did I lads? Keep wasting you’re lives away, no skin off my back.
Your.
I’m certainly not wasting my life away. I find gaming relaxes me, makes me forget the troubles at hand. Get this, I read books too.
Endas too busy wrecking the country to have the time to play a game and chill out. If he’s as good at gaming as he is at running the country yeah you get my drift. )
Tell me how the typical evening goes in your house Enda, and please be honest. What do you do to chill out and take the edge off the day?
Enda stop being a right old one and get with the times grandad
It’s hard enough to get the kids off these games as it is,don’t want them to see this,or it will be impossible
Exactly, like the world needs more man-babies.
It’s better than watching tv.
I know the kids today with their “pop music” and “vidja games” in your day I bet you had a stick and were happy with that ehh?
Luddites
All the wives and girlfriends will be on giving out about their men folk anytime now. I have a ps4 it’s an excellent piece of equipment for helping to just loose yourself for a while in a game. I will admit you don’t notice the time go though. My wife thinks I’m a man child I keep telling her there are millions of men out there that are gamers. Don’t smoke or gamble I do exercise and have a hobby and spend quality time with the family so what harm is it to loose yourself in a game every and then while she’s down watching X factor or I’m a celebrity or strictly come dancing or East Enders or emerdale etc etc,so you see girls lighten up on the lads and their gaming.
Leslie: Teach your children time management skills, and if they are too young to self regulate then its your job to do it with them. Certain types of Games are excellent for children’s’ development – but like all things in life there must be moderation.
Gaming isn’t just for kids or adult men – women are a huge part of the gaming market. I’m an avid gamer and playing online is a wonderful sort of socialising. When my kids are in bed, I get to hang out with my international gaming mates from the comfort of home, and I’ve travelled to spend time with some in countries and cities I might not have visited otherwise, and some have come and visited Ireland. No soaps or “reality” tv shite in our home – gamers for life!
You should try and get her into gaming. I found the Lego games as a great introduction to gaming for the girlfriend.
Tv is terrible totally agree with you
Well don’t play fifa if ur lookin to reduce stress levels u will jus end up most of the time with a bill for a smashed controller and they ain’t cheap nowadays 50/60 a pop for the new gen consoles…
I so know what you mean.
What’s a PIP?
” As part of my final year project, I was given the chance to develop a prototype app for the PIP, a biosensor which helps manage stress. “
What fantastic projects are you working on in your spare time Enda?
It be adult’s buying them as there over 18. Buying them for there children in most cases. It’s not real life.
So the link I previously posted staying the average gamer is 31 you disagree with? You have any facts to back that up?
Enda? I’m nothing like Enda. I’m working class and I work for cash in hand and collect the dole
Anto is clearly a troll account, that comment coupled with profile pic proves it. Don’t feed the troll
Ian the majority buying those games. Even the 18 and over 1s are children. Foghorn, anto is short for Tony thanks. And Hugh, your girlfriend is write
Okay show me statistics proving that the majority buying them are children?
Ian, I don’t understand what you’re getting at here? So because a lot of grown men like playing childish games that makes it somehow ok?
Games specifically designed for adults that are over 18 are childish?
I was a manager in Gamestop few years ago, the average age of game purchaser is late 30s, you’re talking hole anto
have your say