Kenny forced to withdraw bin Laden remarks

TAOISEACH Enda Kenny was forced into an embarrassing withdrawal of Dáil remarks after describing Socialist TD Joe Higgins as “a supporter of Osama bin Laden.”

The Taoiseach made the accusation during questioning about what Mr Higgins called the Government’s “sycophantic congratulations” for the US assassination of the al-Qaida leader.

Earlier, Foreign Affairs Minister, Eamon Gilmore, said the Government had not been forced to increase security surrounding the visit of US President, Barack Obama, in light of the heightened risk since the killing.