'Fighters from Ireland have joined al-Qaida'

FIGHTERS from Ireland have joined al-Qaida in Afghanistan and took part in the downing of a helicopter that left 16 US troops dead, it was claimed yesterday.

A video shown on Arab television and also delivered to British Prime Minister Tony Blair claims the recruits from Ireland were part of a multinational force that took part in the attack and the ransacking of a US military base.

While a small number of militants living in Ireland are thought to have travelled to training camps in Pakistan, this is the first time it has been claimed that Irish people are directly involved in fighting within Afghanistan.