# Drone smuggling attempts in Irish prisons

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/drone-smuggling-attempts-in-irish-prisons
> Updated: 2026-10-06T19:49:46.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

In Ireland, authorities arrested two individuals following a drone smuggling attempt at Midlands Prison. The drone crashed into the roof of the Prison Officers Training College in Portlaoise. 

The Laois Fire and Rescue Service recovered the device and the contraband, which are undergoing forensic examination. An Garda Síochána are detaining the suspects for questioning. 

The Prison Officers Association noted that nearly 400 documented drone deliveries of drugs, weapons, and other prohibited items occurred in Irish prisons last year, suggesting many incidents go unrecorded. The Irish Prison Service indicated that recent inmate transfers from Dublin to other facilities may have contributed to an increase in drone-related smuggling attempts at locations such as Midlands Prison.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-06: Midlands Prison drone smuggling attempt leads to arrests

Two men were arrested after a drone attempting to smuggle contraband into Midlands Prison crashed into the nearby Prison Officers Training College in Portlaoise.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/midlands-prison-drone-smuggling-attempt-leads-to-arrests

### 2026-09-28: Cooma prison smuggling attempt involving drone leads to two arrests

Two men were arrested in Cooma, Australia, after allegedly using a drone to attempt to smuggle drugs, tobacco, and mobile phones into a correctional facility.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cooma-prison-smuggling-attempt-involving-drone-leads-to-two-arrests

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Cite as: Drone smuggling attempts in Irish prisons. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/drone-smuggling-attempts-in-irish-prisons