Ireland Man charged over drone activity at Dublin Airport
A man was charged in relation to drone activity at Dublin Airport on 24 January 2023, which caused a number of flights to be suspended and diverted over safety fears. He is due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice on 10 February 2023.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested9 Feb
- Charged10 Feb
- In court1 Feb
4 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports39 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA man was arrested as part of an investigation into drone activity at Dublin Airport. (garda.ie)
- whatA man was charged with interfering with aviation operations after a drone was flown near Dublin Airport. (rte.ie)
- whatFlight operations were suspended for half an hour at Dublin Airport on the evening of 24 January. (rte.ie)
- whatTwo flights were diverted following reports of a drone in the area. (rte.ie)
- whatA man was arrested following disruptions at Dublin Airport due to drone activity. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatIn the last week there were three drone incidents that caused inbound flights to be diverted and outbound flights to be delayed. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatA drone was spotted on the airfield at Dublin Airport on 24 January 2023 (dublinlive.ie)
- whatA number of flights were suspended and diverted (dublinlive.ie)
- whereThe drone activity took place at Dublin Airport. (extra.ie)
- whenThe drone activity incident occurred on 24 January 2023. (garda.ie)
- whenThe specific incident of drone activity occurred on 24 January 2023. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenHe was arrested in connection with a drone spotted too close to the airport on 24 January 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- causeFlights were suspended and diverted over safety fears (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationDetectives based in Dublin Airport arrested Eric Brills from Holywell Dale in Swords. (rte.ie)
- investigationGardaí are awaiting directions from the DPP and Mr Brills could face further charges. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe man is being detained at Dublin Airport Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationGardaí arrested a man in connection with the incident (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe man was detained at Dublin Airport Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationHe was detained at Dublin Airport Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeThe man has been charged. (garda.ie, dublinlive.ie)
- chargeThe charge is for unlawfully and intentionally interfering with air navigation facilities by operating a drone in the 300-metre critical area on the Naul Road in Cloughan on 24 January. (rte.ie)
- chargeThe man was arrested under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. (dublinlive.ie)
- chargeThe man was arrested contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. (irishmirror.ie)
- courtHe is due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice (Court 4) at 10:30am on 10 February 2023. (garda.ie, dublinlive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe 50-year-old appeared before Dublin District Court charged under the Air Navigation and Transport Act. (rte.ie)
- courtThe accused made no reply to the charge. (rte.ie)
- courtMr Brills was released on five conditions including not flying drones in the State, surrendering his passport, and signing on weekly at his local Garda station. (rte.ie)
- courtJudge Treasa Kelly remanded him on bail. (rte.ie)
- courtHe is due to appear again before the court on 14 April. (rte.ie)
- courtA man is due to appear in court in connection with drone activity at Dublin Airport. (extra.ie)
- sentenceThe maximum sentence for flying a drone near an airport is seven years. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherIt is illegal to fly drones within 5 km of the airport. (rte.ie)
- otherThe offence carries a penalty of up to life imprisonment with no provision for a suspended sentence or probation. (rte.ie)
- otherIt is unclear whether the drone activity on different days is connected. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherIt is illegal to fly a drone within 5km of Dublin Airport. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherFlights to and from Dublin Airport were suspended across three evenings after a drone was spotted on the airfield. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherRyanair called on the Department of Transport to take action against illegal drone activity. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherDAA branded those flying drones in and around the airport irresponsible and reckless. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherUnder Irish drone laws, a minimum distance of 8 km from airports and 3 km from heliports is required. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 10 Feb2023Man arrested in connection with 'incident of drone activity' at Dublin Airport
First report of the arrest and charge. The man was detained at Dublin Airport Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 and is due before the Criminal Courts of Justice (Court 4) at 10:30am on 10 February 2023. The article also notes that flights were suspended across three evenings the previous weekend after a drone was spotted on the airfield.
suspect, male - 10 Feb2023Man due in court in relation to drone activity at Dublin Airport
The man has been charged and is due to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice (Court 4) at 10:30am on 10 February 2023.
suspect, male - 10 Feb2023Man Due In Court In Connection With Drone Activity At Dublin Airport
The article body was unavailable, so only the headline is confirmed.
accused, male - 9 Feb2023Man arrested following disruptive drone activity in Dublin Airport
First report of the arrest; details the charge, detention location, and context of three drone incidents at Dublin Airport in the preceding week.
suspect, male - 9 Feb2023Man charged after drone activity at Dublin Airport
Names the accused as Eric Brills, 50, of Holywell Dale in Swords; specifies the charge under the Air Navigation and Transport Act; reports bail conditions, the judge (Treasa Kelly), and the next court date of 14 April.
accused, Eric Brills, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)Eric Brills - 1 Feb2023Update: Man Arrested In Connection with Incident of Drone Activity at Dublin Airport, Tuesday 24th January 2023
Confirms the man has been charged and specifies he is to appear before Court 4 at the Criminal Courts of Justice at 10:30am on 10 February 2023.
suspect, male