The Defence Forces have been rocked by two suspected drugs-related incidents at the designated security hub for European leaders when Ireland hosts the EU Presidency, the Irish Mail on Sunday can reveal.

Gardaí have confirmed they are investigating both security breaches – which occurred within days of each other last week – at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel in west Dublin.

The military airport and Air Corps headquarters will be used by EU heads of state, ministers and other visiting EU dignitaries when Ireland assumes the presidency of the EU from July.

Two members of the Defence Forces, both aged in their 20s, are at the centre of the suspected drug-related incidents, which are not believed to be connected.

In the first incident, a non-commissioned Air Corps airman – the equivalent of an Army private – was found wandering around the Baldonnel airbase in a ‘very confused’ state shortly after gardaí spotted him being handed a suspected drugs package through a perimeter fence shortly after midnight on Tuesday, April 14.

It is understood the airman was off duty at the time but was staying overnight at the base, where Air Corps members are provided with subsidised accommodation and meals.

The second incident occurred five days later after a passing out ceremony at Baldonnel. 

Sources said a young Army officer allegedly attacked a young female Air Corps recruit with a wine bottle, before assaulting a male colleague who tried to come to the woman’s aid.

It is understood the young officer was in full ceremonial uniform at the time, but when he was arrested he was not wearing any shoes or socks.

A source told the MoS: ‘The Army officer was arrested while he was wearing his Number One uniform [special uniform worn at ceremonial occasions]. 

'He had been a guest at a passing out ceremony for members of the Air Corps, and when the guards arrested him he was no longer wearing his shoes or socks.

‘Five attempts were made to restrain him but security had to contact the guards because they were unable to restrain him. 

'By then he had hit a female Aer Corps recruit over her head with a wine bottle and was about to assault her again when another member of the Defence Forces tried to help her. He was then attacked by the young officer.’

It is being treated as a suspected drugs-related incident.

Gardaí confirmed they are investigating. A Garda spokesman said: ‘Gardaí attended the scene of an incident at a premises in Baldonnel, Co. Dublin on Saturday, 18th April 2026, shortly after 2.30am.

‘A male (20s) was arrested and detained at Clondalkin Garda Station. He has since been released without charge, pending further inquiries. These investigations are ongoing.’

The Defence Forces confirmed the arrested officer ‘has been placed on special leave’.

A spokesman told the MoS: ‘Óglaigh na hÉireann does not condone any form of inappropriate behaviour. 

'The individual has been placed on special leave, on a without prejudice basis and An Garda Síochána are currently investigating the matter. As this investigation is now ongoing, we will be providing no further comment.’

Gardaí also confirmed they are investigating the separate incident at the military airbase five days earlier.

A spokesman said: ‘While on routine patrol, Gardaí arrested a man (20s) in relation to suspicious activity in Baldonnel, Co. Dublin at approximately 12am on Tuesday, 14th April, 2026.

‘The man has since been charged and remanded to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice on Friday, 8th May, 2026 at 10.30am.’

A source said of the first drugs-related incident under investigation: ‘The member of the Air Corps found wandering around Baldonnel… was on the base that night because he was staying there overnight. 

'That is not unusual. People stay there all the time because it saves them having to pay high rents for a place to live and they also get subsidised meals.

‘Gardaí spotted someone giving him a package through a fence. The guards were just passing by when they spotted what was happening.

‘They didn’t have anyone under surveillance but they contacted security at Baldonnel and a search was then started for the person who had received the package on the Baldonnel side of the fence.

‘It took a while for security to find him, and when they did the airman was in a very confused state. He did not have any drugs on him.’

In response to this incident, the Defence Forces said they ‘do not comment on the details of individual or specific cases’ but confirmed a ‘subsequent investigation resulted in no formal disciplinary action being required’.

The incidents will come as an embarrassment to Defence Forces chiefs as the Government tries to reassure fellow European leaders that adequate security arrangements are in place ahead of Ireland’s presidency of the EU.

They both occurred just days after nationwide protests over soaring fuel prices almost brought the country to a standstill, which also raised serious security concerns as hauliers, farmers and agricultural contractors mounted blockades of key ports and the country’s only oil refinery.

A source said of the two suspected drug-related incidents at the military airbase: ‘Baldonnel is the designated security hub for when Ireland hosts the EU Presidency. Heads of state and high-ranking EU officials will be flying in and out of there. 

'Their planes will be kept there while they are visiting here because Baldonnel is regarded as being the place that can provide the most security. 

'But when the Defence Forces cannot secure their own security, this raises questions about whether they will be able to provide adequate security during Ireland’s EU Presidency.’

Concerns have also been raised about Ireland’s lack of military hardware as the country prepares to assume the leadership of the EU.

In February, the MoS revealed that an internal Department of Defence assessment concluded the State’s only anti-drone technology cannot protect two locations at the same time and does not have the capability to ‘blow drones out of the sky’. 

Ireland will also have to rely on the French and British to patrol our seas and skies when European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visit the country for high-level meetings later this year.