The DAA has confirmed that anti-drone technology will be deployed at Dublin Airport within weeks.
The airport was closed six times in the first two months of the year as illegal drone activity caused flight disruptions and diversions.
That prompted the government to issue a regulation allowing DAA to use equipment to shoot down drones or take them to a safe zone.
DAA spokesperson Graeme McQueen told Newstalk it should have the ability to shoot down a drone when someone breaks the law and flies one near Dublin Airport.
“This technology will give us the ability to do that and the message, until we have the drone technology in place and operational, is that it is illegal to fly a drone within 5km of Dublin Airport. You shouldn’t be doing it and if you do you will get caught and punished,” McQueen said.
Staff at the airport have undergone training in the use of anti-drone technology and the DAA is awaiting regulatory approval, Mr McQueen said.
“She [staff] they have a grip on that, they are ready to go. As soon as we have the necessary approval in the coming weeks, we can get started at Dublin Airport.”
There are EU and national rules for the use of drones, including a 5 km exclusion zone around airports.
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has warned that reckless use of a drone or inappropriate use of the camera could lead to prosecution.
Unveiling a drone safety campaign last December, the IAA said anyone buying a drone must register as an operator with the aviation regulator.
Jim Gavin, director of people and operations at the IAA, said drone use has increased significantly in recent years.
“Operating a drone in public requires training, as they can have serious consequences if they are flown incorrectly or collide with a person, animal or aircraft,” he said.
The IAA was one of the first aviation regulators in the world to introduce regulations and mandatory registration of drones in December 2015.
People who buy drones over 250 grams or a drone with a camera are required by law to register as a drone operator.
