Irishman lands key job in US company

THE Irishman who led the operation to capture dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003 has landed a senior role with the controversial US private security firm formerly known as Blackwater.

Retired Colonel James B Hickey, whose father is from Co Clare and mother from Sligo, has been appointed Military Liaison for Global Training and Security ‘Xe’.

The company, formerly known as Blackwater, changed its name in 2009 as part of a restructuring plan and divested itself completely of is previous leadership. The firm had been involved in several controversial incidents, including the death of Iraqi civilians.