Use of Shannon airport for US deportation flights called 'reprehensible'

Politicians in Ireland have described the use of an airport in County Clare by planes deporting Palestinians from the US to Israel as "reprehensible". An investigation found a private jet owned by Donald Trump donor Gil Dezer was chartered by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for two flights that left the US on 21 January and 1 February and made refuelling stops at Shannon airport in the west of Ireland.

Some people onboard said they had their wrists and ankles shackled for the duration of the journeys, and after arriving in Tel Aviv they appear to have been taken to the Israeli-occupied West Bank. The Irish government said the flights stopped in the country for "non-traffic purposes" and were "not picking up or setting down passengers", so did not require prior approval from its transport department.

Opposition politicians raised concerns to the Irish Times: "It is absolutely reprehensible that any ICE deportation flights would be allowed stop and refuel in Shannon," said Duncan Smith.

Ireland, Shannon, County Clare