There was renewed confusion on Thursday regarding whether or not the Defence Forces would have counter-drone technology before Ireland assumes the EU presidency in July when defence minister Helen McEntee confirmed it would not arrive until September. Two weeks ago, the Irish Examiner reported that the updated implementation plan for the Commission on Defence Forces stated that the counter-drone technology would not be in place until September. Ms McEntee said gardaí already have “significant” counter-drone technology. The navy ship had no counter-drone technology to disable the drones. Ms McEntee said that An Garda Síochána, Air Traffic Control and the Defence Forces “have been doing a review of essentially what happened”.

Source: Irish Examiner February 26, 2026 19:20 UTC