Air Corps, Garda Aircraft and Navy Vessel Tracked Over Dublin as Gardaí Impose Airspace and River Liffey Restrictions for EPC Summit
Why It MattersLarge-scale security operations around leader summits show how state aircraft and restricted airspace compete with other flying near a capital's airports for the duration of the event.
At least six Irish Air Corps and Garda aircraft were airborne around Dublin as European leaders gathered for the EPC summit, according to public flight-tracking data from ADS-B Exchange reviewed by RTÉ.
They included a Garda Air Support Unit helicopter and a small surveillance plane, a Twin Otter, flying repeated circuits over the city. Two Air Corps AW139 helicopters, with call signs WOLF1 and WOLF2, circled over Dublin city and Dublin Bay; these are general utility aircraft used for army support, air ambulance and military transport. An Air Corps Airbus C295 maritime patrol aircraft was also tracked.
Gardaí imposed airspace and River Liffey restrictions for the summit, and a Navy vessel was tracked as part of the operation.
