Limerick man was en route to Iraq to fight IS

A Limerick man who attempted to travel to Iraq to fight IS was detained by airport security in London before his flight was due to depart. 

David Hayes was due to fly to Turkey and on to an Assyrian base near Mosul, Iraq, where he was to take up arms in the fight against IS.

The Kileely man has been left “disheartened” after being detained by anti-terrorism police in Gatwick Airport, who said that despite his “honourable intentions” they could not permit him to travel.

He was detained for several hours at the airport, where he was questioned by plain-clothes airport police.

Mr Hayes said that he feels a “strong moral obligation to help the people who are suffering under Isis atrocities”, and he sees the Assyrian militia Dwekh Nawsha as a way to join the fight.

Speaking before his flight, he explained his reasons for wishing to join the Christian military group. He said he had been struck with the urge to take action when he saw a disturbing photograph of a child who had been killed by IS.

“When I saw that, something in my heart just said I have to do something,” he said.

Although stopped from travelling this time, Mr Hayes remains hopeful of joining the militia.

“No, I haven’t given up in regards to Isis or any grouping that threatens our way of life and who oppress and murder others,” he said.