The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) said it has concluded an investigation into a series of unauthorised drone operations conducted by a civil engineering company close to Dublin Airport.
Wills Bros Ltd operated the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) during construction activities at a site in Finglas.
The flights occurred in the Dublin Red Zone which is within the Dublin Airport control zone.
The IAA said this was done without the required Operational Authorisation and without a UAS Operator Registration.
The flights were detected by the Dublin Airport De-drone detection system.
Following detection, the IAA initiated an investigation to determine the extent of the operations, the pilots involved, and the underlying causes of the non-compliance.
The regulator said it engaged directly with Wills Bros to achieve early compliance rather than pursue legal avenues.
"The investigation identified three pilots working for the drone operator who, following instruction from the IAA, have since completed the appropriate training," the IAA said.
"Additionally, Wills Bros has implemented internal procedures to ensure all future UAS operations are conducted under proper authorisation and oversight," it added.
Enda Walsh, Manager UAS at the IAA, said Wills Bros responded proactively, took full responsibility, and worked closely with the IAA to bring their operations into full compliance.
"They are now a model example of how the construction sector can safely integrate drone technology in line with aviation regulations," Mr Walsh said.
Trevor Wills, Legal Director of Wills Bros, said once the company was made aware of the issue, it immediately engaged with the IAA to understand the root causes and to implement corrective measures.
"We appreciate the IAA's collaborative approach and share their commitment to safe, compliant use of drone technology in the construction industry," Mr Wills said.
The IAA said it continues to monitor drone activity near critical infrastructure such as airports and works with both public and private stakeholders to promote awareness, training, and safe operation under EU Regulation.
