Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Sinn Féin TD John Brady, has called on the new Garda Commissioner to clarify if An Garda Síochána has received any complaints relating to Israel-bound cargo flights over Irish airspace, after correspondence to PAC claimed that there had been none.
Teachta Brady said:
“In new correspondence provided to PAC at my request, An Garda Síochána have again stated that there are no records in relation to any recent complaints citing criminal activity regarding Israel-bound cargo flights flying over Irish airspace.
“This follows testimony from the former Garda Commissioner in front of PAC in June, where he stated that he was not aware of any complaints relating to these matters.
“This flies in the face of reporting from ‘The Ditch’ news outlet, that has documentary evidence of repeated complaints that they made to the Gardaí in relation to illegal Israel-bound cargo flights.
“The outlet explained how on the 23rd, 24th, 25th and 30th of October 2024, they wrote to the then Taoiseach Simon Harris and to the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB) regarding four flights travelling from Memphis to Cologne, carrying F-35 combat jet parts destined for Nevatim military air base in Israel.
“The letters noted that the carrying of munitions of war through Irish airspace without ministerial permission is a criminal offence, punishable by up to three years’ imprisonment.
“After the GNECB did not respond and the flights were allowed to pass through Irish airspace, The Ditch contacted Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on the 1st of November 2024.
“On the same day, the former Garda Commissioner was copied on a fifth email informing the GNECB that another flight carrying F-35 parts, was due to pass through Irish airspace.
“That email was acknowledged later the same day on behalf of the former Garda Commissioner.
“How can it be that a complaint email be acknowledged, but yet the former Garda Commissioner came in front of the PAC to say that he was not aware of any complaints.
“More worrying still, the Gardaí have now doubled down on this position in their recent correspondence to the committee.
“PAC is now writing again to the Garda Commissioner to seek clarity on this as a matter of priority.”