The operator of Dublin Airport has called on the the Department of Justice to take over the responsibility for "taking down" disruptive drones.
Flights coming into the Airport were diverted to Belfast and Shannon, and flights leaving Dublin were delayed on three separate occasions over three days recently. The latest incident, which took place on Monday, saw flights disrupted for 40 minutes after a confirmed sighting of a drone.
However, Dublin Live reported that Friday’s alert - which saw four passenger jets in the air diverted and led to the shutting down of the runways for more than 30 minutes - was caused by the Dublin Airport Authority equipment which was mistaken for a drone.
Read more: Dublin Airport flights were diverted after light from equipment was mistaken for drone
Speaking on RTE's Morning Ireland, DAA Chief Executive Kenny Jacobs said the Justice Department and the Defence Forces should take responsibility for taking out the drones. He said: "We had a good meeting with ministers Ryan and Chambers last night. There are a number of conclusions from that.
"This is not a matter for just Dublin Airport - that is the first thing that I would like to say. Next weekend, this could happen at Shannon Airport, and it could also happen over the Aviva Stadium when Ireland are playing France.
"That match could be disrupted because of drones. I think this is a state-wide issue. Dublin Airport has a drone detection system. We don't have a system to stop and take down drones. That is something totally different."
Mr Jacobs said there is a "robust" procedure in place to deal with drones which puts the safety of passengers first. The airport chief added that there is more the state can do as he alluded to the 2018 incident in Gatwick Airport in London.
He said: "The Airport was brought to a standstill because drones were in the airfield. Since then the UK Government has implemented a drone counter measure defence system which is not operated by Gatwick Airport. It is operated by the Metropolitan Police in London.
"That allows the police to take control of a drone, send it back where it came from, jam the signal or they can bring it down if they have to." Mr Jacobs added that the Department of Defence should introduce a similar system in Dublin.
He also called for "draconian" sentencing for those caught flying drones within 5km of Dublin Airport. The maximum sentence is currently seven years.
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