The Government is investigating claims that tonnes of munitions destined for the Israeli army have been transported through sovereign Irish airspace.

A spokesperson for the Department of Transport told Newstalk that the carriage of munitions through Irish sovereign territory or airspace by civil aircraft is prohibited without a special Government exemption.

They noted that no such exemptions have been granted or applied for in 2023 or 2024.

The spokesperson said the Department is aware of recent media reports regarding the use of Irish sovereign airspace by a civil airline reported to be carrying munitions.

They said the matter is now being investigated – with department officials “engaging with the carrier concerned”.

Munitions

Reports that three Israel-bound aircraft carrying tonnes of munitions travelled through Irish sovereign airspace this year were recently published by The Ditch website.

It said the flights passed through Irish sovereign airspace on February 1st, 2nd and 27th.

The website said the flights carried detonating fuses, teargas primers, ammunition primer and explosive charges.

The Taoiseach Simon Harris in the Courtyard at Government Buildings, 07-08-2024. Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews

The revelations come after the Taoiseach Simon Harris earlier this summer insisted that “no sovereign airspace” was being used to transport weapons to the conflict in the Middle East.

The Tánaiste Micheál Martin also told the Dáil that no Irish airports or sovereign airspace were being used to transport weapons to the conflict.

Mr Harris yesterday said he was investigating the reports – reiterating that very clear consent protocols would need to be followed before the munitions would be permitted to travel over Ireland.

Both Sinn Féin and the Social Democrats have called for answers from the Government on the matter.

People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith has also written to the Tánaiste asking him to correct the Dáil record on the matter.

Sovereign

The Department of Transport told Newstalk that there is a difference between international airspace controlled by Ireland and sovereign Irish airspace.

It said sovereign airspace is airspace above a state’s territory including its territorial waters, adding that this is generally defined as 12 nautical miles off the coast.

It noted that “controlled airspace” is international airspace which the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has asked a state to administer – however states do not have sovereign control over it.

Airspace

The Ditch reports claim the first flight travelled through sovereign Irish airspace, flying over Silver Strand beach in County Mayo, crossing the country and exiting above Brittas Bay in County Wicklow.

They say the second flew over County Kerry before crossing Ireland and exiting above the Hook Peninsula in County Wexford.

They suggest the third entered Irish airspace over County Clare and crossed Ireland before exiting above Ballhealy Beach in County Wexford.

With reporting from Stephanie Rohan.