Gardai ask drone operators to keep away from search for missing boy

Drone operators have been told to stay away from the area where Gardai are searching for a missing boy who is feared dead.

The child, who would be seven years old if still alive, has not been seen in several years.

Investigators have been examining an area of open ground in Donabate, Dublin, since September 1.

In a statement, gardai said two unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, were detected at the site on Tuesday and Wednesday.

One operator claimed to be working on behalf of a media organisation.

On Thursday, An Garda Siochana issued an appeal for “the space and time to carry out this search operation sensitively and sympathetically for everybody involved”.

Gardai said airspace restrictions have been in place around the site since September 2.

Breaches of restrictions are investigated by both gardai and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA).

The IAA said a “no drone zone” is in effect over areas of Donabate and Portrane until midnight on Tuesday.