{"id":230795,"date":"2025-12-13T11:31:18","date_gmt":"2025-12-13T11:31:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/230795\/"},"modified":"2025-12-13T11:31:18","modified_gmt":"2025-12-13T11:31:18","slug":"former-defence-forces-officers-say-ireland-is-under-threat-and-may-be-at-the-mercy-of-drones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/230795\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Defence Forces officers say Ireland is under threat and may be at the mercy of drones"},"content":{"rendered":"

It has also highlighted a lack of clarity in Ireland\u2019s chain of command in responding to potential security threats.<\/p>\n

It served as a reminder of the need to re-examine the State\u2019s rules of engagement \u2014 which were last updated in the 1980s, before rapid and seismic technological changes fundamentally altered the theatre of war and the nature of hybrid warfare.<\/p>\n

Hybrid warfare \u2014 which uses tactics such as disinformation<\/a>, cyber attacks, and drone incursions to weaken an adversary without engaging in overt warfare \u2014 has become an increasingly common, cheap, and powerful way to destabilise enemy regimes.<\/p>\n

Drones during Zelenskyy visit\u00a0<\/p>\n

On December 1, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy flew into Ireland for a State visit<\/a> slightly ahead of schedule.<\/p>\n

However, at the time his plane should have been crossing the final few miles of sea before reaching land in Dublin Airport at around 11pm, a naval ship which had been secretly stationed under the flight path for the visit noticed up to five drones in the sky at the time his plane was expected.<\/p>\n

The drones then flew over the naval vessel \u2014 the L\u00c9 William Butler Yeats \u2014 the same warship involved in the successful interdiction of the MV Matthew drug trafficking ship<\/a> off the Cork coast in September 2023.<\/p>\n

A no-fly zone for drones around Dublin had been initiated by the Irish Aviation Authority for Mr Zelenskyy\u2019s visit.<\/p>\n

It is a criminal offence to operate an unmanned aircraft system within a temporary no-fly zone without specific Garda permission. Garda\u00ed are now investigating the incident.<\/p>\n

\"RussianRussian president Vladimir Putin at an exhibition of Orlan-10 military drones in St Petersburg. Security sources suspect the drones in the flight path of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy during his Dublin visit were Russian. \tPicture: Contributor\/Getty<\/p>\n

Garda\u00ed are the primary response force on land and in Irish territorial waters.<\/p>\n

Some commentators are now calling for legislation to make the navy the primary authority at sea.<\/p>\n

Cathal Berry, a medical doctor, retired Army Ranger Wing officer, and former TD, said the ship was 13 nautical miles off the Irish coast, quietly patrolling the arrival of Mr Zelenskyy at the time.<\/p>\n

Irish territorial waters run to 12 nautical miles from the shore, so the incident appeared to have occurred just outside Irish territorial waters and airspace, Mr Berry said.<\/p>\n

\"MedicalMedical doctor, retired Army Ranger Wing officer, and former TD, Cathal Berry. Picture: cathalberry.com<\/p>\n

\u201cIreland has no authority to shoot anything down out there unless there\u2019s a direct threat to the ship itself,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere was no direct threat to the ship, so normal rules of engagement apply.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Anyone is entitled to fly helicopters or aircraft around in international waters, international airspace.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“And the main mission had already been achieved \u2014 president Zelenskyy has safely landed in Dublin Airport.\u201d<\/p>\n

‘We lack capacity to neutralise drones’<\/p>\n

But even if the L\u00c9 William Butler Yeats had wanted or needed to neutralise the drones, they lacked the capacity to do so safely, Mr Berry said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no soft kill option on the naval ship.\u201d<\/p>\n

Soft kill options could include lasers, frequency jammers, and counter drones to ram the suspicious drones with.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe weapons on board are over 50 years old. They\u2019re all second-hand, and most of the sighting systems are WW2 vintage,\u201d Mr Berry said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo the only option they have is to pump a big load of lead up into the sky into the flight path and the approach route into Dublin Airport, which would be absolutely ridiculous and irresponsible.\u201d<\/p>\n

Any use of the weapons on board would have significantly increased the chance of collateral damage \u2014 with hundreds of civilians travelling on commercial aircraft overhead.<\/p>\n

Pulverising drones with powerful lead shots from the sea would also destroy any chance of tracking them back to where they originated from, he said, thereby losing the potential for vital intelligence.<\/p>\n

Additionally, no technology could detect the drones aboard, Mr Berry said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf it wasn\u2019t for the human lookouts on the deck of the L\u00c9 William Butler Yeats, we wouldn\u2019t know any of this,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Where exactly the military-grade drones went or came from is unknown.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But it is strongly suspected that the drones were Russian.<\/p>\n

\u20ac1.7bn capital spend on Defence Forces\u00a0<\/p>\n

In July, capital funding of \u20ac1.7bn was allocated to defence in the National Development Plan for the period 2026-2030.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Defence minister Helen McEntee announced major investment in anti-drone technology this week<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\" Defence and foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee arriving at Curragh Camp on Thursday for the launch of the National Development Plan sectoral plan for the Defence Forces. Picture: Eamonn Farrell\/RollingNrews<\/p>\n

Some \u20ac19m is to be rapidly invested in anti-drone technology with the capacity to both identify and neutralise suspicious drones, she said.<\/p>\n

It is to be in place when Ireland takes over the EU presidency in July and a full radar system will be in place by 2028, Ms McEntee said.<\/p>\n

Mr Berry believes Ireland will be able to secure the military airport at Baldonnel, Co Dublin, for visiting heads of state during the EU presidency next year<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But the approach routes are much less easily secured, he said, adding: \u201cWe have no capability, and we will not have any capability in seven months\u2019 time either [for that].\u00a0<\/p>\n

“You can\u2019t create this overnight.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s like learning a language. It takes years of dedication and the pursuit of excellence before you get that capability. And so we\u2019ve left it way too late.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ll be able to secure the perimeter there with the new equipment they\u2019re buying. But it\u2019s the approach that we saw from Zelenskyy\u2019s visit.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going to happen out in the Irish Sea?\u00a0<\/p>\n

“We will have to seek assistance from another country to basically secure the airspace over your capital city, and in the approach to the main international airport.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd if the war in Ukraine<\/a> continues, which is highly likely, then we should expect significant interference.\u201d<\/p>\n

Commercial airports are not getting this new anti-drone technology under the plan, he said:\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n Shannon\u2019s getting nothing, and Cork\u2019s getting nothing, and Dublin Airport\u2019s getting nothing.\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

Every airport should now have anti-drone defences, Mr Berry said.<\/p>\n

But civilian airports have civilian authorities to make such decisions, he said: \u201cAirports have scanners, they have airport police. As naturally as having running water and electricity in your airport, you should have an anti-drone system. It\u2019s that basic.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve got a perimeter fence around an airport to provide physical security.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow we need a drone fence, if you like, a virtual fence around as well to make sure there\u2019s no drone interference.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd not only to detect a drone, but to be able to disable and neutralise it as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Europol warning\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Recent wars, including Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine<\/a>, sparked fast innovation in unmanned systems like drones, advances which are now being capitalised on by nefarious forces, EU law enforcement agency Europol said in a report this week<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Such advances have been further boosted by developments in supporting technology, such as 3D printing for modifications, cryptocurrency for anonymous trade, and encrypted communications to evade detection.<\/p>\n

‘The Cube’, the fact-checking unit of broadcaster Euronews, found that drone-related disruptions at European airports quadrupled between January 2024 and November 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cathal Berry says Ireland’s military had an air defence system, with radar on the backs of vehicles and surface-to-air missiles which could secure certain areas, up to 2012.<\/p>\n

But this was disbanded in cutbacks during the austerity years.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo the capacity we had has been deliberately, and by choice, wound down by successive parliaments. We\u2019ve no one to blame but ourselves,\u201d Mr Berry said.<\/p>\n

“We\u2019ve had almost four years of war in Ukraine.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“We\u2019ve had the drones for the last six months, and airspace incursions all over Europe, but no action was taken, and now we\u2019re living with the consequences.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘Cold War level of threat’\u00a0<\/p>\n

Geopolitical threats have recently ramped back up to Cold War levels, with hybrid warfare a significant concern, the retiring head of the navy Commodore Michael Malone recently told the ‘Irish Examiner’<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Throughout most of his 44-year career, threats were \u201cfairly benign\u201d, he said. But now, they again resemble the threat level during the Cold War between the Soviet Union and Western Europe.<\/p>\n

\"CommodoreCommodore Michael Malone conducting a final inspection during his stand down parade last week at Haulbowline Naval Base, Cork Harbour. See links at the foot of this article. Picture: Jim Coughlan\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe reality is that we\u2019re now in these new changing times and we have to deal with that. And we now need to employ the right technologies to deal with that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

In the changing geopolitical situation, it is essential that Ireland has proper maritime awareness and can secure its critical subsea infrastructure, including data cables, power interconnectors, and gas pipelines, he said.<\/p>\n

Defence Forces upping its strength\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ireland is beefing up its naval technological power in response to the changing threats, with new towed array sonar being procured.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This will allow the navy to monitor sound in the ocean, including submarine activity.<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, the air corps took possession of the third Airbus C-295 aircraft to be delivered in the last two years.<\/p>\n

The Defence Forces told the Irish Examiner: \u201cThe investment of approximately \u20ac300m in these three C-295 aircraft represents the largest equipment acquisition project ever undertaken for the Defence Forces.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"DefenceDefence minister Helen McEntee speaking at the launch of the National Development Plan sectoral plan for the Defence Forces at Curragh Camp on Thursday. Picture: Eamonn Farrell\/RollingNrews<\/p>\n

“Next week, the air corps will take possession of a new Dassault Falcon 6X strategic reach aircraft, which, together with the C-295 aircraft, represents a significant enhancement of the State\u2019s transport, airlift, and medical capabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Investments are being made<\/a>, and recruitment in the navy in particular is increasing.\u00a0<\/p>\n

However, Ireland\u2019s rules of engagement have not been updated since the 1980s, Mr Berry said. He added:\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n There\u2019s no clear guidance.\u00a0\n <\/p>\n

“The rules of engagement haven\u2019t been updated since the 1980s. The rules of engagement have to do with internal security, like taking on the IRA, taking on criminals,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s nothing really to do with state-on-state sovereign attack on Ireland, per se. So the rules of engagement need to be clarified.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lack of a national security strategy<\/p>\n

Another major problem is the continued lack of the national security strategy, which has been promised for about five years, he said, adding: \u201cThe national security strategy should contain three particular things.<\/p>\n

\u201cFirst of all, clear demarcations between the various state agencies \u2014 garda\u00ed and defence forces and where responsibilities lie.<\/p>\n

\"MembersMembers of the Defence Forces engaging in an exercise. File picture: Brian Lawless\/PA<\/p>\n

\u201cNumber two, it should have very, very clear rules and guidelines.<\/p>\n

\u201cNumber three, it should have the protocols in relation to liaison and decision making, which is completely absent as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe public submissions to the national security strategy were requested five years ago. It\u2019s actually still up on the website and people, in good faith, put in their submissions. But still, not only is there no strategy published, there\u2019s not even a strategy designed. And that is just a 30-page document. Every country has one. So there\u2019s no overall coordinating document to clarify all these things, and that\u2019s what the issue was [during Mr Zelenskyy\u2019s visit].\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr Berry said when garda\u00ed have an investigation underway, they have a press conference and appeal for witnesses. But the State had no such response to the drone incursion.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey say it\u2019s for reasons of national security but it\u2019s not. It\u2019s for reasons of national humiliation,\u201d he said. \u201cThey\u2019ve been underinvesting in our Defence Forces for so long.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Defence Forces said in a statement to the Irish Examiner that \u201cfor operational security reasons, \u00d3glaigh na h\u00c9ireann does not discuss the specifics of operations, capabilities, the air corps\u2019 fleet disposition, or publicly disclose rules of engagement\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, \u00d3glaigh na h\u00c9ireann successfully deployed multiple supporting capabilities to the recent security operation, led by An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It has also highlighted a lack of clarity in Ireland\u2019s chain of command in responding to potential security…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":230796,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[6839,24926,9,10,36563,9217,26,18,13,14,11167,6,19,2902,17,11,12,15,16,5,550,1114,7,8,551],"class_list":{"0":"post-230795","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ireland","8":"tag-disinformation","9":"tag-drugs-crisis","10":"tag-breaking-news","11":"tag-breakingnews","12":"tag-cork-airport","13":"tag-defence-forces","14":"tag-dublin-airport","15":"tag-eire","16":"tag-featured-news","17":"tag-featurednews","18":"tag-gardai","19":"tag-headlines","20":"tag-ie","21":"tag-insight","22":"tag-ireland","23":"tag-latest-news","24":"tag-latestnews","25":"tag-main-news","26":"tag-mainnews","27":"tag-news","28":"tag-russia","29":"tag-social-media","30":"tag-top-stories","31":"tag-topstories","32":"tag-ukraine"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/115712038667467143","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/230795","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=230795"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/230795\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/230796"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=230795"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=230795"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=230795"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}