DUBLIN — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska concluded a high-profile official visit to Ireland on Monday amid reports of unauthorized drone activity in Irish airspace during their stay. The couple arrived in Dublin late Monday for a tightly scheduled one-day diplomatic engagement.
BBC News NI has learned that senior Irish government officials received briefings concerning the presence of drones detected over Irish skies coinciding with President Zelensky’s arrival. While specifics of the incident remain undisclosed, the revelation points to potential security challenges during the visit of the wartime leader.
The Irish Defence Forces, when contacted for commentary, declined to elaborate on operational details. A military spokesperson stated: ‘Defence Forces support to the security operation, led by An Garda Síochána, was successfully deployed in multiple means ultimately leading to a safe and successful visit by President Zelensky to Ireland.’
In a parallel statement, a representative for An Garda Síochána, Ireland’s national police service, indicated that no formal investigation into the drone incident is currently underway. The spokesperson clarified jurisdictional protocols, noting that ‘any such incident occurring on Irish waters is a matter for the Defence Forces.’
The visit underscores Ireland’s ongoing diplomatic support for Ukraine amid continued regional tensions, while the reported aerial activity highlights evolving security concerns for European leaders. The successful execution of the security operation demonstrates strengthened interagency coordination in handling high-risk diplomatic events.