Ahern holds dagger to heart of UN

WITH war in Iraq only days away, the signal from Taoiseach Bertie Ahern that America will be able to use Shannon Airport even if it fails to secure UN backing is bound to cause anger and confusion among the Irish people.

It is disingenuous of Mr Ahern to claim the airport has nothing to do with the war effort.

Clearly, the growing number of flights re-fuelling there demonstrates its importance as a lynchpin in the military build up.