David Hayes, from Limerick, Ireland, was booked to fly to Turkey and then on to an Assyrian base near Mosul, Iraq, where he intended to join the battle against Daesh, according to reports by the Irish Examiner.
The Kileely man was detained for several hours at the airport by anti-terrorism police in Gatwick Airport who informed him that in spite of his "honourable intentions" they could not permit him to travel.
Hayes was en route to join the Assyrian militia Dwekh Nawsha, a Christian military group. Hayes claimed he has a "strong moral obligation to help the people who are suffering under Daesh atrocities."
Hayes went on to explain he was horrified by a disturbing photograph of a child killed by Daesh and this prompted him to want to take up arms against the extremist group.
"When I saw that, something in my heart just said I have to do something," he said.
Although his attempt to join the battle against Daesh was marred this time, Hayes still hopes to join the Assyrian milita.
"No, I haven't given up in regards to Isis or any grouping that threatens our way of life and who oppress and murder others," he said.
