Firm blocks cash to man with name similar to terrorist

AN Irish Muslim was refused just over €70 in cash by an international money transfer company because his name was similar to one on a terrorist list compiled by the United States Treasury Department.

Mohamed Haji Hassan, a Somali national and a naturalised Irish citizen, was told by Western Union that the money, sent to him by his sister in Britain in October 2002, would not be released until a copy of his passport was sent to the United States Treasury Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Mr Hassan sought legal assistance from the Equality Authority and then decided to have his case investigated by an equality officer of the Equality Tribunal.