Overview
- An Irish Naval Service crew on LÉ William Butler Yeats reported several large, military-spec drones breaching a temporary no-fly zone near Dublin around the time of the president’s arrival on Dec. 1.
- The drones reached the projected approach for Volodymyr Zelensky’s aircraft, which had already landed slightly ahead of schedule, avoiding any intersection.
- After the approach window, the drones moved over the Irish Sea and circled above the naval vessel, and officials chose not to engage them due to limited on-scene counter‑drone options.
- Investigators are assessing possible launch sites in northeast Dublin near Howth as well as a maritime launch, with the devices’ operators, origin, and current whereabouts still unconfirmed.
- An Garda Síochána’s Special Detective Unit is leading the inquiry with Defence Forces support, officials say the incident could constitute a hybrid attack, and no public attribution has been made.