Irish citizen accused of al Qaeda training trip

An Algerian-born Irish citizen, wanted in the US on terrorism charges, planned for a group to train in explosives with al Qaeda to support terrorist attacks in the US and Europe, the High Court has heard.

Ali Charaf Damache, 48, who has been living in Ireland for a decade, is wanted in the US to face charges relating to the conspiracy to provide material support for terrorists and attempted identity theft to facilitate international terrorism.

If convicted of the charges against him Damache faces a potential sentence of 45 years in prison.

Counsel for the State, Remy Farrell SC yesterday opened extradition proceedings against Damache at the High Court in Dublin.

He said the indictment alleges that Damache made contact online with American woman Colleen LaRose — who used the online name “Jihad Jane”. He told her he was a devout jihadist living in Ireland and was interested in travelling to Pakistan to fight against the US and others. Mr Farrell said it is alleged Damache planned for a small group to travel to an al Qaeda training camp in Afghanistan.

It is also alleged Damache, who went by the username “the black flag,” co-ordinated LaRose’s departure from the US and her accommodation in Holland and gave her spiritual guidance. She later flew to Ireland.

LaRose was arrested in October 2009, after admitting involvement in a plot to murder Swedish cartoonist Lars Vilks, who sparked controversy by depicting the Prophet Mohammed on the head of a dog.

The case was adjourned until today when an application for leave to seek judicial review will likely be made.