The PSNI has said that it has not undertaken any investigation into possible use of airports in Northern Ireland for so called rendition flights.
The Police Service says it has had assurances from airport authorities at Belfast International, Belfast City and City of Derry that they have "no records" of such flights.
The Celtic League raised a query with the Police Service in correspondence last month see Celtic News No:2153 POSSIBLE RENDITION FLIGHTS BAN HUGELY SIGNIFICANT Mar 21, 2007
The text of the PSNI correspondence from Assistant Chief Constable Peter Sheridan is set out below:
"Re: Rendition Flights
The Chief Constable has asked me to respond to your letter dated the 21 March 2007 concerning "Rendition Flights" within Northern Ireland as my department namely, "Crime Operations" has responsibility for National Security, Serious Crime and incidents of Child Abduction at all sea and airports within Northern Ireland. In researching the issues of your letter, my Department consulted with the management of the three major civilian airports namely, Belfast International, Belfast City Airport and the City of Derry Airport. Each of these management bodies has reported having no records of any "Rendition Flights" in their respective ports.
I can therefore, confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland have not undertaken any investigations in relation to "Rendition Flights" by any United Kingdom government agency or any other foreign government agency.
I hope that the aforementioned addresses your concerns around this serious international human rights issue."
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
21/04/07
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