Evidence in a New York court has revealed that the CIA operated illegal rendition flights through Shannon Airport in Ireland.
Rendition involved flying terrorist suspects from the US to countries allied to the US where they were often tortured.
A dispute between two private jet charter companies ended up in court in New York where the evidence has emerged that one of the companies regularly flew suspected terrorist suspects for the CIA through Shannon.
One of the companies in the legal battle, Richmor Aviation, was recorded landing in Shannon on many occasions between 2001 and 2005 in the aftermath of 9/11.
Court documents appear to show that one flight through Shannon was the rendition of the Egyptian cleric Abu Omar to a country in the Middle East where he was tortured. Another flight was said to contain Abd al Nashiri, the prime suspect in the bombing of the US Navy ship the Cole in Yemen in 2000.
In Ireland, Anti-war group Shannonwatch says the new evidence bolsters their belief that it has evidence of 20 suspected rendition flights through Shannon Airport.
"The airport facilities were used repeatedly over the years by private companies engaged in illegal and immoral activities," said a group spokesperson.
"Irish politicians now have to be made accountable for their failure to ensure that Ireland was not complicit in rendition, kidnap and torture."
Amnesty International Ireland also said the Irish government had failed in their duty by allowing the CIA flights and called on the new government to act differently.
"The Government has an opportunity to break with the failure of the previous administration to protect Irish airspace and human rights," said the organisation’s executive director, Colm O’Gorman.
He called on the government Committee on Investigations, Oversight and Petitions to investigate.
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs referred to a speech by Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore in which he said: "Shannon will not be used as a means of rendition, facilitating torture or any other activity which violates human rights."
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Pittsburghkid | May 05, 2012, 02:19 PM EDT
So what!! How about the 911 victims that had to jump of the World Trade Towers to their death? Less talk about that.
ciaradexy | May 02, 2012, 03:10 PM EDT
A US court no less has found the CIA acted illegally! It wasnt a European one, it was your own agency! Liars!
ciaradexy | May 02, 2012, 03:08 PM EDT
One of the biggest marches we have ever had in Ireland was against the US invasion of Iraq which was under the guise of WMD which we all knew was a lie but the Americans ploughed on in there like they owned the place. 100,000 people took to the streets of Dublin alone and there has been an anti-US military in Ireland stance for years.
STEVENSTAR | May 02, 2012, 12:56 AM EDT
@@Bythebay | May 01, 2012, 04:53 PM EDT GeorgeDillon, you're utterly ignorant. You don't live in ireland. Because they weren't covered in your US papers doesn't mean it didn't happen. >>>>>>>>> YOU ARE SO RIGHT AMERICANS ARE SO OUT OF TOUCH WITH WHAT HAPPENS IN THE REST OF THE WORLD INCLUDING IRELAND THE RUBBISH THATS PRINTED IN THIS RAG PROVES THAT!!.. I REMEMBER LAST YEAR BEEN IN CALIFORNIA WATCHING THE 6 O CLOCK NEWS ON A MAIN NEWS CHANNEL ONE OF THE HEADLINES WAS KIM KARDASHIANS HANDBAG WAS STOLEN IN A NIGHT CLUB THE NIGHT BEFORE ... THAT MAKES THEIR NEWS ... I SAT THERE AND SAID TO MYSELF ARE THESE PEOPLE FOR REAL AND YOU KNOW WHAT ? THEY ARE ... ILL INFORMED, VERY MOUTHY AND THEY KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERYTHING ALSO SOME OF THE MOST SPOILT PEOPLE I HAVE EVEN COME ACROSS ON MY TRAVELS....
Scrivner | May 01, 2012, 06:16 PM EDT
Bythebay, first, the Geneva Convention didn't apply, these were not uniformed soldiers serving their country. Second, truth is always the first casualty of war, both to confuse the enemy and motivate allies. Thirdly, "outsourciong" was all the rage in industry so why not with gov't ops? I have never been a fan of torture, but then again I also have never been a fan of "kneecapping" to express a political viewpoint.
Bythebay | May 01, 2012, 05:04 PM EDT
The CIA LIED as usual. The CIA refused to follow the Geneva Convention. George Bush LIED. Par for the US. Do as I say, not as I do.
Bythebay | May 01, 2012, 04:59 PM EDT
GeorgeDillon, call yourself a fraud. Not only do you not live in Ireland but you don't even know what political parties are in power in ireland. You even claim the banks in Ireland didn't default and we didn't get a bailout. Typical ignorant American.
Bythebay | May 01, 2012, 04:53 PM EDT
GeorgeDillon, you're utterly ignorant. You don't live in ireland. Because they weren't covered in your US papers doesn't mean it didn't happen.
GeorgeDillon | May 01, 2012, 02:18 PM EDT
Bythebay: You're an utter liar. There most certainly were no "huge demonstrations against these flights for years". You're an absolute fraud. I'll refresh your memory for you, since you're obviously a liar or a fool. The only "huge" demonsation in Ireland took place in, I think the spring of 2003. But the demonstration was in Dublin, and it was not about the use of Shannon Airport, it was to oppose Bush's plans to launch his attack on Iraq. I know, you idiot, because I was there. Were you, you fraud?
Bythebay | May 01, 2012, 12:31 PM EDT
seamus60, Gerry is not part of the Government of Ireland and has never been.
seamus60 | May 01, 2012, 11:26 AM EDT
Gerry has been fairly quiet on the issue of rendition. Does`nt want to fall out with his great buddy Peter King
STEVENSTAR | May 01, 2012, 09:31 AM EDT
@@GeorgeDillon | Apr 30, 2012, 03:41 PM EDT STEVENSTAR: YOU'RE A LIAR. THERE WERE NO "HUGE PROTESTS AND DEMONSTRATIONS" IN IRELAND ABOUT THIS. THERE WAS A MANCHESTER UNITED GAME ON TV THAT DAY. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>AND WHO TOLD YOU THAT? DO U REALLY THINK WE WELCOMES AMERICAN MILITARY INTO IRELAND ... WAKE UP ....WE DONT 'KEEP OUT YOUR NOT WELCOME HERE NOW OR IN THE FUTURE..
Bythebay | May 01, 2012, 09:17 AM EDT
The US completely ignored the Geneva Convention of course because it was in their own best interest. The US thinks it can walk all over the rest of the world and treat people illegally.It doesn't work!
Bythebay | May 01, 2012, 09:13 AM EDT
GeorgeDillon, you don't even live in Ireland and you know nothing about Ireland. There were huge demonstrations against these flights for years. The US eg. George Bush lied through its teeth as usual about them.
aloistmartin | May 01, 2012, 12:56 AM EDT
More Proof that All Capitalists are Nothing better than Organized Criminals ~
KilkennyCats | May 01, 2012, 12:08 AM EDT
I think STEVENSTAR (caps) and bythebay are related! Hee
BrianO | Apr 30, 2012, 11:38 PM EDT
The islamic invasion has already begun, France is on the ropes England is on the way, if you want shariah law fine, if you want to remain a western democracy then it's time to open your eyes. If Ireland would like to take the lead and take on the first world trade center bombers, the U.S.S Cole bombers, the Bali nightclub bombers, the 911 attackers that would be fine with me. I think you could reason with these fine people and we could all get along.
peterson | Apr 30, 2012, 06:50 PM EDT
One of these days, the terrorists may strike Ireland and the U.S. would be among the first responders to the rescue !!
seanomelb | Apr 30, 2012, 06:40 PM EDT
Renditions are the actions of a terrorist regime the U.S. been one of them.
cavanpat | Apr 30, 2012, 04:32 PM EDT
The Garda Knew and Ahern knew.They Will be Tortured in the next world if there is ONE.They better go to confession To save their SOUL'S. Under the Shatter's new law The prest must report it,to the authorities They Could be put into Stoks at Shannon Aerport for a month For punishment or be Waterboaded
GeorgeDillon | Apr 30, 2012, 03:41 PM EDT
STEVENSTAR: YOU'RE A LIAR. THERE WERE NO "HUGE PROTESTS AND DEMONSTRATIONS" IN IRELAND ABOUT THIS. THERE WAS A MANCHESTER UNITED GAME ON TV THAT DAY.
rainbowbrew | Apr 30, 2012, 12:52 PM EDT
Steven hopefully you are not shouting at me. I am just a peon like everyone else in the USA. Some of us peace inclined like to visit Ireland for the people. Yes once again my government shows that they are masters at lying. How can anyone know if they are telling the truth. It is a very sad state of affairs. PS You do not have to shout at people and the all upper case is harder to read.
STEVENSTAR | Apr 30, 2012, 11:59 AM EDT
THIS IS OLD NEWS .. BUT HERE IN IRELAND IT WONT BE HAPPENING AGAIN AS WE HAD HUGE PROTESTS AND DEMONSTRATIONS AT THAT TIME ABOUT AMERICANS LANDING IN SHANNON AIRPORT AND I FOR ONE SUPPORT A TOTAL BAN ON AMERICANS USING IRISH AIRPORTS FOR MILITARY PURPOSES.. KEEP OUT WE DONT WANT YOU ..
FastEddy | Apr 30, 2012, 11:25 AM EDT
Of course they did it. ... Duh!
Portia777 | Apr 30, 2012, 10:49 AM EDT
Of course they knew,
Bythebay | Apr 30, 2012, 10:45 AM EDT
Of course they did. We knew about it in Ireland, they continued to lie and claim they didn't. Same old, same old from the US.