Ireland Faces Questions Over Use of Israeli-Made Drone Defence Technology at Dublin EU Summit
DUBLIN: Ireland’s stated policy of avoiding the purchase of military and defence equipment from Israel has come under scrutiny following reports that Gardaí relied on Israeli-made advanced anti-drone technology to protect the European Union summit in Dublin.
The reported use of the equipment has raised questions about a possible contradiction between the government’s position on Israel and the technology used to secure a major international event on Irish soil. Ireland has been among the European countries to strongly criticise Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
The equipment was reportedly procured by An Garda Síochána through an American supplier and manufactured by Centrix, a technology company based in Tel Aviv. The systems are understood to have been designed and manufactured in Israel.
The technology consists of specialised drone jammers capable of disrupting the operation of unauthorised drones and preventing them from entering restricted airspace around sensitive locations. Some of the devices are installed on building rooftops and can be operated remotely.
Similar equipment was reportedly deployed during events at University College Cork in July.
The systems were operated under the supervision of the Garda Special Tactics Operations Command, which includes the Regional Armed Support Units (ASU) and the Emergency Response Unit (ERU). Members of the Armed Support Unit have also received training to operate the technology.
Gardaí are understood to be using additional counter-drone equipment, including handheld devices.
Police forces in France, Portugal and Latvia, as well as the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), are also involved in counter-drone operations.
Security specialists have pointed out that finding sophisticated counter-drone systems without some level of Israeli involvement can be difficult. The technology has reportedly been recommended by American security experts as among the most advanced systems available, with similar assessments attributed to experts in the United Kingdom.
Company has links to Israeli military personnel
Sentrycs board of directors reportedly includes former members of the Israel Defense Forces. The company’s chief executive, Tal Cohen, previously headed product development and research in the Israeli Air Force between 2016 and 2020.
In 2025, the American company Ondas acquired Sentrycs. Based in Florida, Ondas operates in several sectors, including defence, homeland security, public safety and robotics.
The company’s acquisition of Sentrycs has brought the Israeli-developed technology within an American corporate structure, although the equipment itself is reported to have been designed and manufactured in Israel.
Questions over the government’s position on Israel
The reported procurement has renewed questions about the government’s policy on purchasing military and defence equipment containing Israeli components.
In August 2024, then-Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Micheál Martin announced that Ireland would not purchase equipment containing components manufactured in Israel.
The announcement came amid growing international criticism of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and concerns over its policies in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Martin referred to the International Court of Justice’s findings concerning the legal status of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, as well as its observations relating to Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The government’s position has since attracted renewed attention following reports that Ireland decided against purchasing a €53 million Dassault Falcon 6X aircraft in August this year because it contained sensors manufactured by an Israeli company.
Against that background, the reported use of Israeli-made drone defence systems during the Dublin summit has raised questions about how the procurement fits with the government’s stated policy.
A Garda spokesperson declined to comment on the reported purchase of the counter-drone equipment, stating that the force could not discuss procurement or expenditure involving technologies used for national security purposes.
Neither the Department of Justice nor Sentrycs had publicly commented on the matter at the time of reporting.
Israeli technology also features in new Air Corps helicopters
The issue extends beyond drone defence systems. Previous reports have indicated that four new helicopters being built for the Irish Air Corps by UK-based Airbus Helicopters will also incorporate technology developed with Israeli involvement.
The aircraft are expected to use the Helionix flight system, a cockpit technology platform associated with Airbus and Israeli defence company Elbit Systems.
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