Unidentified drones circling Dublin skies have triggered a wave of concern across Ireland and Europe, after their presence coincided with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s high-profile visit to the Irish capital last week. The incident, which unfolded late on the night of December 1, 2025, as President Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska arrived at Dublin Airport, has since been characterized by Ireland’s Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan as part of a "coordinated threat" against both European Union and Ukrainian interests.
According to RTÉ and Extra.ie, the first reports of drones emerged from the north-east of Dublin, just as the presidential plane landed shortly before 11 pm. Gardaí and the Defence Forces immediately launched an investigation, with the Special Detective Unit assuming responsibility for the national security threat. The National Security Council is expected to deliver a comprehensive report to Taoiseach Micheál Martin within a week, as political and military leaders scramble to determine the origins and intent behind the aerial activity.
Minister O’Callaghan, speaking to reporters in Brussels during a meeting of EU justice ministers, dismissed any notion that the drones were the handiwork of local hobbyists. "I think it’s fair to say that we think this is part of a coordinated threat to EU and Ukrainian interests. Our suspicion is that this was drones that were generated for the purpose of putting pressure on EU and, indeed, Ukrainian interests," O’Callaghan stated, as reported by Extra.ie. He emphasized, "It certainly wasn’t a back garden drone enthusiast."
President Zelensky himself confirmed the presence of the drones, telling reporters, "There will be an investigation ... There were drones indeed. Somehow, we have become accustomed to living in these circumstances." His remarks underscored the new normal for leaders from countries at the center of ongoing geopolitical conflicts, particularly in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The timing and location of the drone flights raised immediate red flags for Irish authorities and their international partners. The drones were not only spotted near the airport but were also observed by crew aboard the Irish Naval Service vessel LÉ William Butler Yeats, which was monitoring maritime activity off the east coast. According to RTÉ, up to five drones were seen hovering more than 10 kilometers offshore, east of Howth and Dublin Bay. The naval crew obtained extensive video footage of the drones, but the ship’s weapons were not used to intercept them.
The presence of these drones at such a sensitive time and location has led to high-level political and military concern. Senior government figures, as cited by Extra.ie, believe it is "very likely" that Russia was behind the incident, pointing to a pattern of similar drone events in other European countries, including Denmark and Belgium. Taoiseach Micheál Martin echoed these concerns, noting a "significant escalation of a whole range of types of attacks and threats, largely, we would think, emanating from Russia in terms of cyber attacks, in terms of hybrid attacks in many of the Baltic states and members of the European Union."
Martin added, "In Copenhagen, we had the emergence of drones. We’ve witnessed the emergence of drones in Belgium. We’ve had incidents in UK territorial waters, also in France and also in Ireland, in the context of the visit of President Zelensky." He described the development as "in many ways not a surprise," given the emerging pattern of hybrid threats across Europe since the war in Ukraine began.
Security and defence analyst Declan Power weighed in on the broader implications for Ireland’s national security. He criticized the country’s slow pace in adapting to new security realities, remarking, "Ireland has been particularly slow [to have a discussion on defence] because we think these things will never affect us, and they haven’t, largely because we are protected by geography and culture, particularly our position between the US and the UK." Power called for a halt to "irrational circular debates" about neutrality and the so-called triple lock, urging instead a focus on practical measures to defend the country. He also stressed the need for clearer rules of engagement for both the Gardaí and Defence Forces when dealing with drone incursions, warning that internal disagreements between agencies only serve to "give the Russians a win."
In response to the incident, Minister O’Callaghan highlighted Ireland’s existing anti-drone capabilities and announced plans to further increase investment in counter-drone technology. "The Gardaí have very good anti-drone technology and we’re going to be spending more in terms of defence just in terms of seeking to combat drone technology," he said, as quoted by Extra.ie and RTÉ. He added that Ireland would be increasing spending on defence, particularly in the lead-up to the country’s presidency of the European Union in the second half of 2026, and would be enhancing capabilities in cyber security and radar systems in cooperation with NATO.
The investigation has also drawn attention to maritime activity in the Irish Sea at the time of Zelensky’s arrival. RTÉ reported that one vessel present in the area had previously been suspected of involvement in the sabotage of subsea cables in the Baltic Sea, although a Scandinavian investigation later deemed that incident an accident. The ship, owned by a company based in Eastern Europe and previously docked in a Russian port, entered Ireland’s exclusive economic zone around 8 am on December 1, about twelve hours before Zelensky’s arrival, and loitered for three days before departing for the US. While the vessel’s owners denied any deliberate sabotage, its presence added another layer of intrigue to an already tense security situation.
As the investigation continues, Ireland’s National Security Council—established in March 2025 and comprising top government, military, and security officials—will convene later in December to discuss the incident and review strategic developments in national security. The Council’s membership includes the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Justice, the Garda Commissioner, and the Defence Forces’ Chief of Staff, among others, and is tasked with meeting three times a year to address emerging threats.
Despite the alarming events, officials have been quick to praise the effectiveness of the security operation around President Zelensky’s visit. Taoiseach Martin described the policing effort as "very effective," and Minister O’Callaghan concluded, "I have to say, however, that the visit of President Zelensky to Dublin last week was a success. The Gardaí did a very good job in terms of ensuring that security was at a very high and effective level."
With hybrid attacks and drone incursions on the rise across Europe, Ireland’s experience during Zelensky’s visit serves as a stark reminder that no country is immune to the evolving tactics of modern geopolitical conflict. The coming weeks will reveal whether Irish authorities can adapt quickly enough to meet these new challenges head-on.