CIA planes may be searched by Irish authorities, says O’Dea

CIA AIRCRAFT using Irish landing facilities may be subjected to search inspections to make sure they are not involved in torture operations, Defence Minister Willie O’Dea revealed last night.

In what could herald a major policy U-turn, the Cabinet is set to discuss ordering the on-board probes.

The move follows rising public concern that US flights into Shannon and other Irish air bases may be used for “extraordinary renditions” - missions taking terror suspects to countries such as Egypt for interrogation and torture.