Irishman linked with al-Qaida

A LIBYAN-BORN Irishman has been named by United States authorities as the director of a European al-Qaida cell.

Ibrahim Buisir, 43, of south Dublin, who has been questioned by gardaí at least once, has previously denied any involvement with the network.

The US government named Buisir as a representative of the Islamic African Relief Agency, a charity banned from raising funds in America.

US Treasury Secretary John Snow said the Sudan-based IARA provided financial support to Osama bin Laden, al-Qaida and the Palestinian Hamas group.

Mr Buisir has been accused previously of being linked to al-Qaida and was arrested in October 2001.

The naturalised Irish citizen has lived here since 1982.

Mr Buisir has never been charged with an offence and is one of thousands the US has publicly linked to the al-Qaida network.