Allawi refused entry to Ireland

A Syrian national who was due to give an address in Dublin tonight has been refused entry to the country.

Dr Ibrahim Allawi, who is the editor of a Baghdad newspaper, had been due to speak on day-to-day life for ordinary people during the US-led occupation of Iraq.

However, immigration gardaí are threatening to put him on a flight back to London if he fails to obtain a valid visa for Ireland.

The Irish Anti-War Movement, which organised the visit, said it is an attempt to silence critical views on American foreign policy ahead of George W Bush's arrival in Ireland.