Mystery night-sky noises explained?

The noises have been heard throughout Londonderry for a number of weeks, with areas such as Culmore and Limavady now being affected as well.

Local aviation enthusiast Norman Thorpe believes he has spotted the aircraft in flight recently. He has said that it could be an unmanned British reconnaissance aircraft used as part of defence company Thales UK’s ‘Watchkeeper project’. Mr Thorpe did point out, however, that he has yet to see the aircraft “on a clear night, with a good lens”.

Limavady DUP Councillor Alan Robinson contacted the Sentinel to speak out about the “puzzling” sounds, saying that “it has wakened some and prevented others from getting to sleep”

The night-sky noise has proved so enigmatic in Londonderry that the Secretary of State was called on to provide information by one Foyle MLA, who sent a letter requesting answers.

Speaking to the Sentinel, SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey said: “He has replied to my letter, to let me know that he has passed it on to the Ministry of Defence, which tells you quite a lot in itself.

“I thought that it had died down recently, but I have received fresh reports from people in areas such as Culmore, and now Limavady as well. It has been causing quite a few problems for people trying to get to sleep at night.”

Aviation expert Norman Thorpe believes the aircraft responsible may be an unmanned spy plane. He said: “It could well be a Watchkeeper reconnaissance aircraft used quite often in Iraq and Afghanistan. That is one possibility. I saw it myself a while ago, at night-time, but I haven’t seen it since.

“I am waiting for a very clear night and a good lens to have a look at it to say for sure, but it flies so high up that it makes it very difficult to see. It could well be one of those surveillance planes.

“A Watchkeeper is a long narrow thing, and there is a propeller on it, which would explain the buzzing or droning sounds.”

Limavady Councillor Alan Robinson commented on the mystery and the problems being caused by the sounds. He said: “People are telling me they are hearing this noise at a time when children are either going to or are in bed, and it has wakened some and prevented others from getting to sleep. I have contacted various agencies but no-one can tell me the source of the noise.”

“This mystery sound is a puzzle many would like to solve due to its intrusive nature to home life.”

He added: “Someone knows the answer and I hope it will be discovered soon and the usual quiet Limavady nights return.”

Authorities at City of Derry Airport have ruled out the noise being caused by any of the commercial aircraft using the facility since arrivals and departures take place during daytime hours only, with the latest scheduled daily activity taking place at approximately 8pm.

Rathlin Energy, the company who are carrying out an airborne geological survey of the Rathlin Basin area, which includes Limavady, say their aircraft operates during daytime only.

A spokesperson for the company said that for their survey to be effective, daylight conditions were needed because those operating the equipment relied on eyesight as well as the instruments on board the plane.

A spokesperson for the police said: “The PSNI can only comment on the use of the police helicopter which is routinely used to prevent and detect crime and keep the community safe.”