Coverage, policy developments, and planning decisions from across Ireland. Tags indicate the location of each story — but the issues are national.
Fingal County Council has now refused Manna planning permission three times — at Clonsilla (2024), Castleknock (Junction 6), and most recently at Coolmine. In the first two cases the existing structures had to be dismantled. The Coolmine refusal — the original site that flies Dublin 15 / Zone U97 — is the most consequential.
Fingal's reasoning is precedent-setting: the hub "by virtue of its operation results in serious noise pollution" and is "contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, and in addition to being prejudicial to public health."
Communities anywhere in Ireland that face a Manna hub application can — and should — submit objections. Planning authorities can refuse, even where an IAA-designated zone exists overhead.
A public meeting on Cork's southside in May 2026 drew more than 200 residents to raise concerns about commercial drone deliveries. Speakers raised serious concerns about noise pollution, privacy, and the absence of legislation around the technology. Residents also discussed the IAA's recent decision to drop notification requirements for Visual Line of Sight operators.
"The lab rats are biting back" — residents' meeting on Cork's southside (Echo Live headline).
Read articlePublic meeting hears concerns on drones — noise, privacy and IAA process.
Read articleThe Irish Aviation Authority's public consultation on drone-related airspace restrictions in Cork City received more than 650 submissions, raising concerns about noise, privacy and security. The temporary measures introduced to facilitate Manna are now being rolled back as a result.
In their place, the IAA has unveiled a "long-term safety zone" over Cork City. Our view: this is the same body designating zones ahead of the National Working Group being assembled — the pattern this initiative is asking the State to address.
During a Dáil discussion on drone policy, An Taoiseach questioned the need for the service (clip around 1:11):
The Taoiseach has separately acknowledged the "genuine concerns" of people in Cork over drone deliveries.
Manna founder Bobby Healy was interviewed on the Neil Prendeville Show, Cork's RedFM, on 25 May 2026. Two claims from that interview are central to this campaign — and both are testable.
Mr Healy claimed there are only two complaints a week from Blanchardstown. The only way to test that in public is to put complaints on the record — and copy the campaign.
Share your experienceMr Healy stated that Cork loves the service. The 200+ at the public meeting, the 650+ IAA submissions, and the volume of media coverage tell a different story.
Listen on GoLoud (1:28:35 onward)
RedFM also covered the topic on 21 May and 26 May 2026.
The Irish Aviation Authority has announced an investigation into rising concerns over noise from delivery drones operating in Cork city.
Read articleEuropean-level coverage of the Cork pushback as part of a broader continental story on drone delivery and community consent.
Read the articleThe Echo has tracked the Cork story from the start — meeting coverage, planning developments, and IAA decisions.
Read articleCoverage helps. Signatures help more. Complaints and planning objections help most. Each tool has its time — and right now is the moment to use all of them.