People with al-Qaida links are in Ireland, says Ahern

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern yesterday confirmed a small number of people with suspected links to al-Qaida are based in Ireland.

Mr Ahern, speaking on the national security situation in Ireland following the September 11 atrocity, said agencies here and abroad have co-operated in monitoring “the movement of people associated with al-Qaida”.

He went on to say: “While I am not briefed on these issues weekly, I am aware of the intelligence work by the Garda Síochána, and externally, on a number of individuals.