Several planes were targeted by lasers on approach to Dublin Airport last weekend, forcing the pilots to take evasive action in order to land safely.
It is reported at least five planes were targeted by lasers at approximately 9pm on Friday, December 2, as they descended over west Dublin.
While none of the flights were forced to make a major diversion, pilots had to take evasive action as the incidents sparked security concerns at air traffic control, Buzz.ie reports.
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The power of the laser or lasers involved in last week's incidents is unknown but the report states that early indications suggest the beams came from the Blanchardstown area of Dublin.
Gardai have confirmed that "inquiries are ongoing" after reports of the laser attacks were made to them last Friday night.
The Irish Aviation Authority declined to comment on the specific incidents last weekend, insisting that the matter is now in the hands of investigating Gardai.
"Any incident involving laser pens targeting the cockpit of an aircraft is reported by air traffic control to Garda," a spokesperson for the Irish Aviation Authority said.
"It is a matter for the Garda to follow up. We do not comment on specific incidents."
Because of the difficulty in identifying suspects involved in the act of pointing lasers at aircraft, little information is available regarding recent numbers of such incidents.
It is understood, however, that the State Airports (Shannon Group) Act 2014, which made the act of aiming lasers at aircraft a criminal offence, resulted in a significant decrease in such events.
In 2013, the Irish Aviation Authority confirmed that there were 158 laser attacks on pilots in Irish airspace. There were 153 incidents in 2014 and 134 in 2015. 2016 saw that figure drop significantly, with 31 reports of lasers being aimed at aircraft in the Republic of Ireland that year.
The beam of a laser pointer can cause serious safety issues as pilots' vision can be impaired as they prepare to land the aircraft, a point in the journey when they arguably require the most concentration. Direct exposure to laser beams can also cause retina damage.
Even if the laser does not directly interfere with a pilot's eyes, it is possible for the beam to cause a dazzling effect by the light becoming spread out after passing through any imperfections on the windscreen of a cockpit.
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