US suspect flights go unchecked at airport

IRELAND’S relationship with the United States is such that it would be extremely difficult for the Government to take the “extraordinary step” of inspecting US flights through Shannon airport, a former top Irish diplomat said yesterday.

Even if it did, it would probably not find any evidence of terror suspects on board, Noel Dorr, former Irish ambassador to the UN, said.

Mr Dorr, who is also former secretary general of the Department of Foreign Affairs, said there seemed to be “some evidence” that planes used for so-called rendition flights may have passed through Shannon airport.