Irish firm charged over aircraft parts sent to Iran

AN Irish trading company has been charged with sending helicopter engines and other aircraft parts to Iran, according to an indictment unveiled in a US federal court.

The 25-count indictment charges Mac Aviation of Drumcliffe in Co Sligo, and three of its officials, of buying the components from US companies and sending them to Iran through Malaysia and other countries. The US Justice Department says the recipients included an Iranian military firm, Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial, that the US has designated as a “weapons of mass destruction proliferator” for involvement in Iran’s alleged nuclear and ballistic missile programme.

Justice Department officials said they are seeking the arrest and deportation of the Irishmen: 72-year-old company owner, Tom McGuinn; his 40-year-old son, Sean McGuinn, the sales director; and commercial manager, Sean Byrne.