Brendan Morrissey is a Kilkenny man, well-known for many talents.
As a rock star he fronted the hugely successful 1990s outfit My Little Funhouse which saw global success, including support slots to Guns ‘n’ Roses.
In more recent times he’s turned tech investor – more here.
Well travelled, his homebase with wife Karen and their two children remains in the county, but he’s currently in the United Arab Emirates.
This is his experience in recent days and his report for KCLR News: (Please note copy below updated to add key takeaways by author’s request);
“Caught in a Middle Eastern War.
I’ve been coming to the Emirates for years now. Often enough that the airport feels procedural rather than exciting. The same skyline, slightly altered each visit. The same dry heat stepping off the plane. A country that exists online as spectacle but in reality feels orderly, deliberate, almost careful.
I know which road to take into the city. I know how the light looks in late afternoon. It has started to feel ordinary in a way that would probably surprise people who only know it from the internet.
Last Thursday I nearly posted something online. At traffic lights officials were handing out food and drinks to people fasting for Ramadan. It seemed quietly kind. Organised. No one making a spectacle of it. I drafted something about how you don’t see that everywhere. Then I didn’t post it. It felt unnecessary.
On Friday I drove to Abu Dhabi before sunrise. The traffic can become oppressive if you leave too late and I prefer the roads when they’re empty. I had a meeting at the private office Sheikh Mansour. We’ve been negotiating for months. The deal is to build AI systems. We agreed and everyone seemed satisfied.
Driving back I remember feeling not triumphant exactly just relieved that I’m working with the Royal Family in Abu Dhabi and the rulers of the UAE. I might have even whistled a tune on my drive back to Dubai.
The first explosion didn’t immediately register as danger. There’s always construction somewhere. It’s a country that builds constantly. But the sound was wrong. It lingered. The sound could have been anything. But there was a density to it. A finality. Then another.
I drove toward Oman. I’m not sure why. It felt like the practical thing to do. At the border they told me I needed a yellow slip to cross in a rental car. The phrase sounded bureaucratic in a way that felt absurd given the circumstances. I turned around.
By the time I reached Dubai the sky had changed character. Interceptions streaked overhead, brief violent flashes opening and disappearing. Missiles were being neutralised mid air. From my hotel window I watched technology undo technology. It was beautiful in a way that felt morally confusing. Small blooms of light then darkness again. It looked almost abstract from that distance. Clean. Precise. It’s strange how something can be both terrifying and technically impressive at the same time.
I saw smoke rising in different places. People online were already describing it as collapse. Collapse of Dubai, of the Middle East. But the roads were still functioning. Cafés were open. Traffic lights still changed on schedule. The disconnect between what was happening and how it was being narrated felt extreme but that’s influencers for you, looking for that click bait and another thousand followers.
Saturday evening I didn’t go to City Walk, though I usually pass through in the evenings to Urth Cafe an American diner I love in Los Angeles that popped up in Dubai. Later I learned debris had fallen there and started a fire. The sail shaped outline of Burj Al Arab had been struck by fragments from a destroyed drone. The same at the Fairmont Hotel on Jumeriah just down the road from my hotel. The images online made it look catastrophic. In reality it seemed contained.
I kept thinking about proximity. How small decisions alter outcomes. Leaving five minutes earlier. Choosing one street instead of another.
Early Sunday morning I tried the airport to see if I could pick up a yellow slip from the rental car company. It was empty. It had been bombed twice the day before so that was fair.. Counters unattended. Screens filled with cancellations, car rentals shut up shop. When I drove away two interceptions exploded very close overhead. I felt stupid for not thinking that I was driving into a target. The car shook hard enough to make me grip the wheel and move off the road. I felt embarrassed by how quickly panic rose in me. As if fear were a failure of composure.
I quickly drove toward the Hatta mountains. I’m sure there’s speeding tickets to be addressed but they might have some lenience with me when they see the time and place.
The East coast of the country felt safer, though I had no evidence for this seeing as it’s closer to Iran. The roads were mostly empty except for a few convoys of expensive cars and security moving quickly and quietly. Wealth relocating itself. They had the same idea. I was baffled why people would stay in Dubai with hundreds of missiles piling down on it.
Friends messaged with suggestions. A bus to Muscat. A private jet via Saudi Arabia. Cyprus. I drove back to Dubai to explore the options but they seemed viable for a few minutes before collapsing under logistics. Airspace closures. Full bookings. Unanswered calls. Systems I’d assumed were stable turned out to be surprisingly fragile.
Sunday night the bombing continued. Not constant but enough to prevent rest. Enough to keep the sky closed.
I rebooked a flight for Tuesday morning.
Key Takeaways:
UAE Condemns Iranian Attacks: The UAE strongly condemned Iranian missile attacks on its territory and other Gulf countries, emphasizing its right to respond to protect its sovereignty and security (0:04-0:17).
Diplomatic Engagements: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, held phone calls with several foreign ministers to discuss regional developments and the serious consequences of the ongoing escalation (0:20-1:19).
Successful Air Defense: The UAE Ministry of Defense announced that its air and air defense forces successfully intercepted and destroyed 152 ballistic missiles and 506 drones out of 165 ballistic missiles and 541 drones launched from Iran since February 18, 2026 (3:02-3:39).
Casualties and Damage: The attacks resulted in three fatalities (Pakistani, Nepalese, and Bangladeshi nationalities) and 58 minor injuries of various nationalities (Emirati, Egyptian, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Azerbaijani, Yemeni, Ugandan, Eritrean, Lebanese, and Afghan). Minor to moderate material damage was reported in some civilian areas due to falling debris (3:44-4:48).
Incidents in Abu Dhabi and Dubai:
Abu Dhabi: Debris from an intercepted drone fell on the facade of Etihad Towers, causing minor injuries to a woman and her child and slight material damage (4:52-5:10).
Zayed International Airport: Debris from an intercepted drone targeting the airport resulted in one fatality (Asian nationality) and seven injuries (5:40-5:57).
Dubai: Drone debris fell on two house courtyards, causing two injuries that received necessary medical care (6:20-6:33).
Dubai International Airport: Four injuries were reported at the airport, with emergency medical assistance provided (6:51-6:59).
Jebel Ali Port: Fire departments controlled a limited fire caused by falling debris, with no injuries reported (7:25-7:40).
Burj Al Arab: A limited fire on the external facade of the Burj Al Arab was controlled with no injuries, caused by intercepted drone debris (8:31-8:49).
Minister Anwar Gargash’s Statement: Dr. Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the UAE President, stated that the Iranian regime has lost its compass by targeting the UAE and its neighbors, emphasizing that the UAE’s internal front is strong and well-prepared for such crises (9:05-12:18). He affirmed that the UAE will not join any military campaign against Iran but will protect its territory and people (14:28-15:51).
High Efficiency of UAE Armed Forces: Brigadier General Pilot Abdul Nasser Mohammed Al Humaidi, official spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense, highlighted the high efficiency of the UAE air and air defense forces in intercepting and destroying a large number of missiles and drones, emphasizing the country’s advanced defense capabilities (33:53-37:06). Dr. Ibrahim Al Dabali, a researcher and academic, echoed these sentiments, praising the professionalism and dedication of the UAE armed forces (37:31-39:05).
Continuous Efforts to Ensure Safety: Authorities urge the public to rely only on official sources for information and avoid spreading rumors or unverified videos (25:09-25:32). The UAE assures citizens, residents, and visitors of their safety and security, highlighting the comprehensive and integrated defense system in place (30:13-30:23, 47:39-47:57).
