State faces calls for security review into private airfields after judge's drug trafficking comments
Cessna As Of Abbeyshrule A Landed Seized That 'significant Investigation Keenan Johnson Picture: Aerodrome, In Part Single For Judge Garda A Aircraft Gardaí Called Drug Longford, After Síochána/pa Trafficking A Upgrading' An Engine
Opposition parties have urged the Government to review security at the country’s private airfields, after a judge described as “extraordinary” evidence that the airfields operated as “open corridors” for drug trafficking.
Sentencing Tim Gilchrist, from Waterford, on Thursday, in relation to the smuggling of 120kgs of cocaine on board a light aircraft into Abbeyshrule Aerodrome in Longford, Judge Keenan Johnson called for a “significant upgrading” of security at private airfields and for 24-hour monitoring and checks.
Gilchrist had flown the drugs from a small airfield in Dieppe, France, into the Longford airport on August 4, 2022.
Unknown to him, his flight was under surveillance by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, which had set up an operation on foot of intelligence it had received.
The court had heard that while spot checks can be carried out at private airfields, typically, flights into and out from them were simply logged, and pilots were required to declare their trips.
The number of private airfields in operation in Ireland is unclear, but some sources suggest there are more than 30 active airfields across the country.
“The phenomenon of light aircraft and small airfields is an issue all across Europe, and some landing strips are located on private farmland,” one source said.
Various law enforcement services in Ireland monitor their use by checks, technology, and use of radar, sources explained — likening the situation to the numerous small seaports dotted around the coastline.
“It’s not physically possible for any country to provide cover for every small seaport or landing strip,” a source said.
It is understood that both gardaí and Customs are in contact with each other, and liaised with their international colleagues in terms of assessing risks and gathering intelligence.
The EU Maritime Analysis Operations Centre – Narcotics is also active in this area and was involved in an operation resulting in a major heroin seizure in an Irish airfield last year.
Sinn Féin's justice spokesman, Pa Daly, said: “I am aware there are many small airfields around the State which appear to have fewer checks.
“Following the judge’s comments, I have written to the minister for transport and the minister for justice regarding the issue.”
Social Democrats' justice spokeswoman, Catherine Murphy, said: “The most recent case shows just how exposed we are and, while huge energy and resources goes into detection, its essential prevention gets the kind of attention it needs.”
She said people will always try and exploit weaknesses, and said it was up to the State “to close off those opportunities”.
Ms Murphy added: “In some locations, where there was a problem in the past, security has been improved in recent years. I have tabled a parliamentary question seeking a security review and a plan of action for increased security at the remaining aerodromes.”