Irishman among 300 alleged insurgents captured in Iraq

AN Irishman is among more than 300 foreigners alleged to have fought with Iraqi insurgents and captured by United States-led troops, a senior commander in Baghdad said.

Fighters from nearly 50 countries, mostly Arab, have been captured. Maj Gen Rick Lynch said they include one Irishman, an Israeli and two British.

He refused to reveal any more information about the Irishman. The Department of Foreign Affairs was aware of the reports but have no further information.

The department said it normally only becomes involved if requested. This is further complicated because Ireland does not have a consular presence in Iraq.

Sources in the gardaí said Special Branch will be keen to find out information on the captured Irishman. It is likely members will make discreet inquiries to check if he is indeed an Irish national and his background here.

Maj Gen Lynch said most of the 376 foreign fighters captured this year travelled from other Arab states. “Terrorists and foreign fighters” were responsible for some of the worst attacks, such as suicide car bombings, but he US-led forces had foiled several attacks by arresting or killing many of them in recent months, he said.

The total number of suspected insurgents in jail stands at 12,000. The countries of origin most represented were Egypt (78), Syria (66), Sudan (41) and Saudi Arabia (32). Others came from Britain, France and Denmark, with one American.

Maj Gen Lynch claimed Iraq’s al-Qaida leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was trying to bring in more foreign fighters because many of his Iraqi associates had been rounded up or killed.

“What we’ve found is he’s replacing his leaders with foreign fighters, presumably because they’re most inclined to carry out these ruthless attacks against the Iraqi people.”