Shannon: Govt 'gravely concerned' at transport of US prisoner
The Government today insisted it is unacceptable for the US to transfer prisoners through Shannon Airport without permission after a convicted Marine was found on board a civilian plane.
The US Embassy confirmed a soldier who had breached a military code was being carried home from Kuwait, but officials had neglected to ask the Minister for Justice to allow it.
The soldier, dressed in military fatigues, handcuffed and shackled, was discovered when a cleaner boarded the plane.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said he was gravely concerned by the incident.
“While the transfer of such a prisoner would be lawful under international and domestic law, it requires the consent of the Minister for Justice,” Mr Ahern said.
“The US authorities did not seek such consent. This failure, though inadvertent, is unacceptable. It is a matter of gravest concern to the Irish Government.”
The incident occurred last Sunday, June 11 when a civilian aircraft landed at Shannon to refuel en route from Kuwait to the US. On board were 180 unarmed military personnel and one soldier in custody.
Mr Ahern said he met US ambassador to Ireland James C Kenny for an hour at Iveagh House yesterday where the sequence of events was confirmed. The minister said he outlined the Government’s serious concerns over the incident.
It is understood US officials have assured the Government that the incident was unintentional and the failure to seek consent arose from an administrative error.
“I informed the Ambassador that, notwithstanding the fact that this incident had no connection with allegations of extraordinary rendition, it was unacceptable that it should happen,” Mr Ahern said.
The Cabinet was briefed on the controversy today and will consider what steps need to be taken.
Officials at the US Embassy have been asked to compile a report on the incident for the Government. Mr Kenny said he deeply regretted the breach of procedures and said he would advise US authorities of the Government’s concerns.
It is understood the Shannon stopover for US planes will be reviewed in order to ensure the incident does not recur.
“In addition, to ensure that appropriate steps are taken to prevent any recurrence of this incident, we will engage in further discussion with the US authorities on arrangements for notification and information sharing, and the strengthening of verification procedures as necessary,” Mr Ahern said.
And the minister went on: “It has been the consistent position of the Irish Government that no aircraft can use Shannon for extraordinary rendition. We will not facilitate and have not facilitated extraordinary renditions. That is, and remains, our policy.
“We have always held that if the Irish Government at any stage received hard evidence of extraordinary rendition we would act upon it and expect An Garda Síochana to act upon it – a position I repeated yesterday in an interview in Luxembourg.
“While I would reiterate that this incident is unconnected to allegations of extraordinary rendition, it is essential, not least in the interests of public confidence, that the Government take appropriate steps in response to such a breach. This is what we have done.”
