Fears weapons flown through Irish skies being used in Gaza
Used Airport Weapons Opposition Concern Is That Transport Politicians To File Photo Being To Shannon Expressed Israel
Almost 1,200 civil flights carrying weapons were allowed to travel across Irish airspace last year, the highest number in six years, prompting concerns that some of these weapons are being used in Israel’s war on Gaza.
A total of 181 such flights were approved in October, the same month that Israel launched an all-out offensive on Gaza after the Hamas terrorist attacks of October 7.
Opposition politicians want the Government to clarify if it is allowing the US to transport weapons to Israel for use in its ongoing war.
There were 1,185 applications for permission to fly weapons through Irish airspace or land at Irish airports granted by Transport Minister Eamon Ryan last year. Of these, 910 flights were given permission to fly across Irish airspace.
Only eight applications were refused by the minister, while 38 applications were cancelled by flight operators.
Under existing laws, it is illegal to fly weapons through Irish airspace unless a waiver is granted by the transport minister.
Responding to the figures, Sinn Féin’s foreign affairs spokesman Matt Carthy said there is a disturbing lack of transparency around these flights.
He said there is no accountability to the Dáil on the issue, and that almost all applications submitted are granted by Mr Ryan.
People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said the figures “certainly suggest that Shannon Airport is being used to transport soldiers carrying weapons to the Middle East”.
While the number of flights over Ireland increased for four consecutive months in the run-up to October, there was a sharp rise of 59 flights between September and October.
On October 7, Hamas launched a series of attacks on Israel, killing more than 1,100 people. These attacks led to an aerial bombardment and ground offensive by Israeli troops.
Mr Murphy said it would be “some coincidence” if the sharp rise in flights carrying weapons across Irish airspace was in no way related to the Israeli-Gaza conflict.
Mr Carthy said it was only “natural” for the public to question whether Irish airspace was being used to transport weapons to Israel.
The onus is now on the Government to “explain and ensure” that Ireland is not complicit in providing weapons to Israel, he said.
In 2022, the Government permitted 1,094 civil flights with weapons onboard to fly through Irish airspace, while 989 such flights were allowed in 2021. In 2020, 1,165 permissions were granted.
The total figure also includes flights that landed and took off from Irish airports, with the vast majority coming into Shannon Airport.
In total, Ireland granted permission for 258 civil aircraft carrying weaponry to land at or take off from Shannon and 17 aircraft at other airports.
Mr Murphy said that he believes no flights carrying weapons should be permitted to fly through Irish airspace, but if such flights continue to land at Shannon, the Government must ensure the cargo is inspected.
The Department of Transport was asked for comment.
- 1,231 total applications were made to fly weapons through Irish airspace or land at Irish airports in 2023;
- 1,185 such flights were granted permission to land or fly through our airspace;
- 8 applications were rejected;
- 38 applications were cancelled;
- Of the applications granted, 910 were permission to fly through Irish airspace;
- 258 were granted permission to land or take off at Shannon Airport;
- 17 were allowed to land at other airports.