Airport ‘under threat from terror attack’

TRANSPORT Minister Eamon Ryan has been warned of potential security threats at Dublin Airport.

It comes after an exclusive report was published by the Irish Independent, in which a whistleblower at Dublin Airport made the allegation regarding a possible terrorist threat at the airport to the minister.

The claim is reportedly now part of an investigation by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA).

In the whistleblower’s protected disclosure, which has been seen by the Irish Independent, it is alleged screening at the airport is in a “critical situation” which leaves possible gaps for explosive devices to slip through and on board flights.

The disclosure was handed to Transport Minister Eamon Ryan in the Dáil chamber last June.

It says the Minister is allowing a “roll of the dice” each morning and hoping “that nothing happens”.

A lapse in standards of staff training has led to “below par” security screening at the airport, where “vulnerabilities” could be “exploited”. It says these may even lead to terrorist attacks on a par with Lockerbie, the deadliest terrorist attack in the history of the UK. The IAA has launched a formal investigation into the protected disclosure, as it has found “prima facie” evidence that “wrongdoing may have occurred”.

The whistleblower is currently in dispute with their employer over a pay review and a report arising from their accusations of bullying.

In a statement, the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA), said that for “obvious reasons” it does not comment on security matters, adding that the authority fully engages with “stringent security requirements.”

“Dublin Airport is subject to regular, independent, national and international oversight of our compliance with stringent security requirements,” it added.

“DAA is fully engaged continuously to ensure that the appropriate safety and security standards are always in place at Dublin Airport.

“Due process must be followed, and we will cooperate fully with any investigation that may follow, but any allegations under a protected disclosure should remain to be allegations only, until such claims are fully investigated and ultimately resolved.”

The statement added that the “DAA will not be making any further comment on this until any such investigation has been finalised.”

The Department of Transport said it does not comment on issues which relate to “aviation security operations” or protected disclosures given to the Minister.

A spokesperson said the IAA is responsible for receiving disclosures “of relevant wrongdoings on all matters relating to the management of Irish controlled airspace, the safety regulation of Irish civil aviation and the oversight of civil aviation security in the State.”