Sixfold increase of drone incursions at Laois prisons

There has been a sixfold increase in recorded drone incursions at prisons in Portlaoise in 2025 compared to 2024.

According to figures from the Irish Prison Service(IPS), there have been 32 drone incursions at Portlaoise Prison and the Midlands Prison up to November 27 this year. In total there were 13 in Portlaoise Prison and 19 recorded at the Midlands Prison. 

The figure marks a major escalation from 2024 figures when the IPS recorded five incursions at the two prisons in Portlaoise with four taking place in the Midlands Prison and one recorded at Portlaoise Prison. However, it should be noted the consistent central recording of such incidents by the IPS only began in mid 2024.   

The figures were released in a parliamentary question to Independent Ireland TD Deputy Ken O’Flynn. He asked Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan about the issue of drones at prisons in a series of questions on December 2. 

Minister O’Callaghan said the IPS is addressing drone incursions at prisons throughout Ireland by “deploying all appropriate dynamic security measures responding to the nature and level of the threat in each instance”.

He explained that the IPS does not disclose details of the staffing and technology in use to counter drone incursions as this could compromise security. 

“The controlled management of security-related information is a core component of maintaining a safe and secure custodial environment for staff, prisoners, and the wider community,” he said. 

He revealed the IPS has invested €5 million to date in the nationwide installation of metallic mesh netting to prevent and reduce drone-enabled contraband drops. The mesh was first trialled in Portlaoise Prison and it was designed to prevent the use of flaming drug-filled  containers which burned through traditional prison meshes before landing in prison yards. 

Minister O’Callagan said the IPS and An Garda Síochána, have completed several very successful collaborative operations in the past year delivering significant results, including multiple arrests and prosecutions linked to attempts to introduce drugs and other contraband into prisons by drone or throw-over. 

“This intelligence-led, multi-agency co-operation is effectively disrupting and detecting attempted delivery of contraband into prisons and improving communication pathways regarding supply, availability, typology and impact of illicit substances in prisons,” he said. 

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Minister O’Callaghan said “the Irish Prison Service Operational Support Group did not commence documenting a consistent central record of drone incidents until July 2024, when the prevalence of this type of incident increased.” 

Below are of reports recorded from 1 January 2025 to 27 November 2025:

He explained that "the types of contraband recovered from these incidents provide an insight into the importance of the close co-operative working between the Irish Prison Service and An Garda Síochána to intercept these drone incursions. Items recovered include: various drugs, knives, blades, mobile phones, chargers and SIM cards.”

Minister O’Callaghan provided a breakdown of items seized in prisons across the country. 

He said items recovered from drone incursions are not recorded separately to items recovered in other operations across the prison estate.