The Taoiseach was forced to withdrew a claim that Socialist Party TD Joe Higgins was a "supporter" of Osama bin Laden during heated exchanges in the Dáil this afternoon.

Enda Kenny, who made the accusation when Mr Higgins criticised the manner of bin Laden’s killing, later withdrew it following demands that he do so from Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin and Independents John Halligan and Finian McGrath.

The Taoiseach said he did not believe Mr Higgins was a bin Laden supporter. “I know you are a good Christian man who has your job to do in here from a political point of view,” he added.

Earlier, Mr Higgins said the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and presidents of the European Commission and European Council had categorically supported the killing of bin Laden, who was shot dead by US special forces in Pakistan.

He asked if the policy of the Government and the EU was to support “a shoot to kill policy” of somebody suspected of serious crimes.

“Is it only justified if the target is a reactionary, anti-democratic, anti-human rights obscurantist like bin Laden?” he asked.

As the exchanges continued, Mr Kenny said: “I wasn’t aware that Deputy Higgins was a supporter of Osama bin Laden’s.”

Accusing Mr Higgins of making a "confused statement", the Taoiseach said that while he was extremely concerned about what happened in bin Laden’s case, he was not showing due concern and consideration for the thousands of people murdered by al-Qaeda.

The Taoiseach said bin Laden was responsible for mass murder in New York, Madrid, Bali and London. “Many of his victims in the twin towers in New York were of Irish descent or directly Irish," he added.