AN INVESTIGATION HAS found that drone flights inside an exclusion zone near Dublin Airport were done by a construction firm at a building site. 

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), which is the regulatory body for air traffic in Ireland, found that Wills Bros Ltd had been flying the drones at a site in Finglas.

These drone flights were inside an area known as the Dublin Red Zone, which is within the Dublin Airport control zone. The probe found that it was done without the required Operational Authorisation and without a UAS (drone) Operator Registration.

A statement from the IAA today said that the flights were detected by the Dublin Airport Dedrone detection system.

Once they were detected, the IAA initiated an investigation to find the pilots involved, why they were flying and to determine why they were non-compliant with the rules on drone flights.

The IAA said its officers engaged with Wills Bros to achieve early compliance rather than pursue legal avenues.

The statement said that: “the investigation identified three pilots working for the drone operator who, following instruction from the IAA, have since completed the appropriate training. Additionally, Wills Bros Ltd. has implemented internal procedures to ensure all future UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) operations are conducted under proper authorisation and oversight.”

An IAA issued image of the drone exclusion zones around Dublin Airport. IAA IAA

Enda Walsh, Manager UAS at the IAA, said that the case shows that the systems work to detect the drone flights. 

“This case highlights the effectiveness of detection systems, but more importantly, it demonstrates what positive regulatory engagement can achieve.

“Wills Bros responded proactively, took full responsibility, and worked closely with our team to bring their operations into full compliance. They are now a model example of how the construction sector can safely integrate drone technology in line with aviation regulations,” he said. 

Trevor Wills, Legal Director of Wills Bros Ltd, spoke on behalf of the company.

“Once we were made aware of the issue, we immediately engaged with the IAA to understand the root causes and to implement corrective measures.

“The process was transparent, constructive, and ultimately strengthened our internal governance for drone operations. We appreciate the IAA’s collaborative approach and share their commitment to safe, compliant use of drone technology in the construction industry,” he said.

The IAA said the approach of avoiding sanctions is part of a “balanced approach” to prioritise learning from the incident, to maintain accountability in the hope that this will prevent future incidents.

Drone flights have disrupted flights into Dublin Airport in the past with a number of people appearing in court.