Fianna Fáil has said it was an "oversight" that it used a drone to shoot footage of a park run by presidential candidate Jim Gavin in an area where drones are not allowed to be flown without being given the all clear for safety.
In a statement this morning, a Fianna Fáil spokesperson confirmed the drone was used during a park run event last Saturday in Porterstown, and that the drone pilot was "not aware" it was an area where permission was required.
The location where the event took place is classed as a UAS geographical 'red zone', meaning that any individual must receive explicit prior permission from the local controlling authority before a drone is allowed to be flown.
However, despite Mr Gavin's pre-presidential role as chief operations officer of the Irish Aviation Authority - a role that means he is responsible for air safety in Ireland - no permission was sought for the drone footage to be used to record a campaign video.
No better start to the day than @parkrunIE
— Jim Gavin For President (@gavinforthearas) September 27, 2025
Thanks to all the volunteers at Porterstown Park for running such a great event.
Fully energised and ready to hit the campaign trail💪🏻🏃🏻 pic.twitter.com/3DLeII4AmF
In a statement this morning in response to a report in the Irish Independent, a party spokesperson said: "The registered drone pilot was not aware that this was a UAS Geographical Zone where prior permission was required from the local controlling authority.
"This was an oversight on the drone pilot's part.
"As soon as Jim became aware of the oversight, he asked the drone pilot to submit a Voluntary Safety Occurrence Report via the European Aviation Safety Portal.
"This is a proactive measure to allow the IAA to collect and analyse information to help improve our air safety."
The spokesperson added that air safety was at no stage compromised, and that all subsequent procedures were followed.
The use of unauthorised drones has become an increasing source of debate in Ireland in recent years, meaning stricter rules are now in place to outline when and where they can and cannot be used.
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