A fourth Israel-bound cargo flight flew over Irish sovereign airspace this year, carrying 27 arming devices that were, according to shipping records, “to be used in the Arrow 3 missile interceptor for end use by the Israel Ministry of Defence”.
The revelations follow recent reports in The Ditch of three separate flights on their way to Israel that passed through Irish sovereign airspace. The Department of Transport said this morning it’s examining these reports.
Meanwhile taoiseach Simon Harris said yesterday he is “seeking information” on the matter. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald earlier today called on Harris to “urgently provide full answers” in response to the claims.
On 11 February, 2024 a Challenge Airlines Israel Boeing 747-412(BCF) with the registration number OO-ACE left JFK Airport, New York for Tel Aviv. It had a scheduled stopover at Liege Airport in Belgium.
The flight entered Irish airspace over county Clare and continued flying across the breadth of Ireland before exiting the state above county Wexford.
The flight's cargo included 27 ESADs – missile safety and arming devices – for delivery to Israeli-based IDF-supplier Orion Advanced Systems.
The devices were “to be used in the Arrow 3 missile interceptor for end use by the Israel Ministry of Defence”, according to a US Department of State-issued export licence enclosed.
There was also a dangerous goods transportation application submitted to the Belgian authorities on 5 February, 2024. The Arrow 3 is an anti-ballistic missile jointly funded by the US and Israel and has been used by the Israeli Air Force since 2017.
The Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of the Taoiseach and Department of Transport have again been contacted for comment.
