Gardaí are investigating an apparent security breach at the American football match at the Aviva last weekend where a drone with a Palestinian flag attached came crashing down in the stands.
Footage appears to show the drone circling over the packed stadium before crashing down into a stand. Fortunately, no one was injured as the stand was largely empty, the cheerleaders had just vacated their seats to perform on the pitch.
Spectators and match officials reacted to the incident and footage showed the drone being retrieved by officials.
It is illegal to fly a drone over a crowd of a dozen or more people at an event or any other public gathering. Footage shows the drone circling over the crowd before appearing to crash into the stand.
Asked how the drone breached the no drone ban and if the gardaí advised the event organisers to check bags at the point of entry, the Garda Press Office said: "An Garda Síochána had in place a bespoke policing plan for events at the Aviva Stadium. Gardaí are investigating an incident where a drone was flown over the Aviva Stadium.
"An Garda Síochána does not comment on the details of operational matters or security arrangements. The policing of major events is carried out in conjunction with the event controller who has overall responsibility for the event.
"In general, An Garda Síochána has in place an appropriate policing plan for every major event. These events are planned through Event Coordination Offices in each Garda District, based on individual event risk assessments."
The spokesperson added: "An Garda Síochána continues to provide day-to-day services and response to the public keeping people safe, the policing of major events is carried out in conjunction with the event organiser under an event controller who has overall responsibility for the event."
Prior to Saturday’s incident, gardaí were asked what – if any — additional security measures were being taken for this week’s Coldplay four concerts at Croke Park in light of the fatal attack on a music festival in Germany which left three people dead and several more critically injured.
The press office said that "throughout the summer, gardaí have worked to keep people safe at public events across the country." Public safety guidelines at sports and outdoor music events and set out in the 1996 Code of Practice for Safety.
*This article was originally published on Extra.ie.
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