Officials at the Aviva Stadium are racing to repair damage to the seats and the pitch caused by a drone which crashed late yesterday evening while filming a promotional video for Leinster Rugby.
The Guinness Pro12 game on Sunday is expected to go ahead though sections of the east stand will have to be closed.
The drone is the same model as features in posters around Dublin advertising the Drone Expo Event taking place this weekend at the nearby RDS.
It was filming scenes to indicate the preparation for a big game at around 11 o’clock last night when it lost control, crashed into a section of the East stand near the half way line and then bounced onto the pitch where it is reported to have done ‘some damage’.
The stadium is currently closed with a full Irish Aviation Authority investigation taking place. Nobody was injured in the incident.
“The accident was unfortunate but the damage to the pitch will be repaired and those patrons who had booked seats in the area of the stand that has been affected will be offered alternative seating for Sunday’s match against Munster Rugby,” said Marcus O’Buachalla, spokesman for Leinster Rugby speaking to Sport for Business in the early hours of this morning.
“We do not yet know the cause of the accident,” said Poisson Davril, a spokeswoman for the French company operating the drone. “It has never happened before and we will ensure that all steps are taken to ensure safety in the future.”
