Two arrested after drone seized near prison in Laois

Laois Gardaí arrested two men and seized a drone following a suspected attempt to fly contraband into Portlaoise Prison. 

The men, who are aged 36 and 43, were arrested in Portlaoise after attempting to flee from Gardaí who were investigating a drone that had been seen flying in Portlaoise on Tuesday, April 21 at 5.50pm. 

According to Portlaoise Gardaí, “there was a drone flying over St Brigid’s Place. Gardaí approached the passenger and he attempted to drive off”. 

Gardaí managed to force the vehicle to stop. They then arrested the two men and “recovered a drone in a nearby field”. It’s understood a number of phones were also found by Gardaí during the incident. 

The car was seized and the two men were taken to Tullamore Garda Station. They have since been released and Gardaí said investigations into the incident are ongoing.

There has been a sharp increase in the illegal use of drones around Portlaoise Prison and the Midlands Prison in recent years. 

READ ALSO: Sixfold increase in drone incursions at Laois prisons

Gardai arrested a man after drones were sighted flying near the prison on two consecutive days last month.

“Gardaí in Portlaoise, supported by the Divisional Drugs Unit and Detective Unit, recently carried out a successful operation targeting the use of drones to deliver contraband into the Midlands and Portlaoise Prison complex,” Gardaí said in a statement at the time.

Pictured above: A drone that was seized by Portlaoise Gardaí in March 2026

They said “these incidents highlight the ongoing efforts by An Garda Síochána, working in partnership with the Irish Prison Service, to prevent the smuggling of drugs, phones and other harmful materials into our prison system.”  

Portlaoise Gardaí said they greatly appreciated the continued support of the local community. They encouraged residents to report any suspicious activity involving drones, particularly in areas close to the prison complex.

If you observe unusual drone activity or suspicious behaviour, please contact Portlaoise Garda Station on 057 8674100 or any Garda Station or call 999 or 112 

“Working together, we can continue to protect our communities and disrupt criminal activity,” they added at the time.