Drone ban imposed as Offaly search linked to missing Fiona continues

A BAN on the flying of drones by the public at the townland of Graigue, Killeigh and its vicinity has been put in place.

The temporary restriction on the flying of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the airspace was imposed by the Irish Aviation Authority at 6am today (Monday, May 26) and coincides with the Garda Siochana's announcement of a search in connection with the disappearance of Fiona Pender.

The drone ban, known as a Temporary Restricted Area (TRA), will continue until 10pm on Monday, June 2.

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“The purpose of the TRA is to ensure the safety of State aircraft operating within and of other air traffic operating in the vicinity of Graigue, Killeigh, Co Offaly in the period cited,” a notice from the Irish Aviation Authority said.

The flight restriction notice added: “Subject to any decision by the Irish Aviation Authority to the contrary, the airspace within the TRA is restricted to use by UAS authorised by An Garda Síochána. Unmanned Aircraft Systems may be subject to seizure by An Garda Síochána as evidence for potential prosecution and in the interest of aviation safety. Any exemptions, alleviations, or permissions granted to Unmanned Aircraft Systems operators by the Authority, are not valid within this TRA during the period cited.”

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The limit of the no-fly zone (hatched in red in the map below) is 1.62 nautical miles, centred on: 53° 14’ 04.01” N, 007° 26’ 57.94” W.