Aircraft flying dark off Clare creating risk, says councillor

UNIDENTIFIED aircraft flying along Ireland’s west coast are putting other air traffic at risk, a Shannon area council member has warned.
Councillor Pat McMahon told the July meeting of the local authority that greater attention needs to be given to what is an increasingly common occurrence.
He urged that, in view of the recent cyber attack on the HSE, Clare County Council should call on the government to enhance the role of the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) in national security.
“It has been brought to my attention that all aircraft have a device to make them known to radar,” he said.
“In some cases, there are crews turning them off so that they can’t be properly detected. Unidentified aircraft have been seen along the west coast and the issue is causing major risk.
“There may be alien air forces involved in some kind of war game and Ireland seems to be weak in this area. We lack the technology because successive governments didn’t see fit to invest.”
The Fianna Fáil member also highlighted an emerging issue with undetectable aircraft. “Interpol has warned about aircraft using rural airfields as part of the drugs trade,” he said. “Those aircraft are creating a risk for normal people travelling. The risk is consistently out there.”
Councillor McMahon pointed out that as members of the UN Security Council, Ireland has an opportunity to raise the issue.
“We have a seat on the Security Council and I would like to see this issue highlighted there,” he said.
“This is happening four or five times a week, it’s not uncommon and it’s very serious.”
The motion was seconded by Cathaoirleach, Councillor PJ Ryan, who said: “Massive research has been done by Councillor McMahon and I would hope the authorities will take it on board.”

By Fiona McGarry