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Behind the Story: Burkes to be jailed and the cost of the Iran war

The High Court has ordered the immediate arrest and committal to prison of teacher Enoch Burke's mother, Martina, and sister, Ammi, for contempt of court.

Mr Justice Brian Cregan ordered that the two women should be jailed for two weeks each because of their behaviour at a hearing last month.

Legal Affairs Correspondent Órla O'Donnell was in court and told Behind the Story about the latest twist of the Burke case.

Iran conflict: Cost of war

Security and warfare expert Patrick Bury also joined Fran and Paul on the cost of the US-Israel conflict with Iran.

Dr Bury said he believes, at the current pace, weapons of the US and Israel can last "at least four to five weeks, as (US President) Trump has said, before stockpiles start to run a bit low," he said.

"But President Trump is meeting with leaders of Lockheed and other defence companies in the United States to press them for production in the next couple of days."

Missiles vs drones

Dr Bury said the use of drones is changing the nature of the conflict.

On occasion, missiles costing over $500,000 are being used to take down a drone that costs significantly less.

"There's a massive cost differential – a Shahed (drone) can be anywhere between $30,000 to $50,000 – you do not want to be firing a $1 to $3 million missile at those and getting your targets mixed up," he said.

"The drones bring another element – they’re usually used as part of a strike package, trying to confuse and make the people commanding the interceptors choose the wrong targets."

Dr Bury said such drones are usually used to "overwhelm the defences".

"There’s much cheaper ways to take out drones – of course the Ukrainians are experts at this – including (through) electronic warfare, short-range air defence and anti-aircraft guns.

"A much better way to do it than using these expensive missiles."

Iranian-designed Shahed drone
An Iranian-designed Shahed drone

Dr Bury said the US and Israel are likely hoping to deplete Iran’s ballistic missiles first.

"The priority target is the ballistic missiles – because they are expensive to make, expensive to intercept as well - carry a large warhead (and) can cause a lot of damage," he said.

"If they are choosing targets, they will try and get their most expensive interceptors - they have to fire two to three at each ballistic missile."

Dr Bury also pointed to one dynamic which seems to be emerging: "Can you win a war from the air on your own?"


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