Murdered hostage’s brother offers support

PAUL Bigley, whose brother was horrifically beheaded a year ago after being seized by Iraqi radicals last night pledged “whatever help I can possibly give” to hostage Rory Carroll and his family in Ireland.

The 56-year-old Dutch-based brother of hostage Kenneth Bigley, whose terrifying ordeal at the hands of one of the world’s most ruthless terrorist groups led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, captured the attention of the world in October 2004, said “my heart goes out to Rory and his family and what they must be enduring right now.

“Their desperation and fear is something my family has felt acutely so we know what they must be going through.”

Moved to tears after being telephoned by an Irish radio station and told that 33-year-old Guardian journalist Rory Carroll from Dublin was the latest kidnap victim, Paul Bigley told The Irish Examiner: “If it’s about money then with luck he will be released but it’s vital that no time is lost. Unfortunately my brother Ken was being held for political reasons so his fate was probably sealed early on.

“I still blame the British government and especially Foreign Secretary Jack Straw for not moving quickly enough. It’s essential that contact is established immediately with the kidnappers of this poor young Irishman; for God’s sake don’t delay and if they are demanding money pay it; all that matters is this journalist’s life.”

Paul Bigley, who campaigned relentlessly to have his brother freed by his Iraqi captors says that the decision of the Irish government to grant Ken a passport “just might have made that crucial difference if events had taken another course”.

Last May he came to Dublin - he was one of the recipients of the Best of Irish awards to mark the family’s strength and courage - to thank the Irish people for the overwhelming support shown to his Co Dublin-born mother Lil Kelly-Bigley and the rest of the family throughout their three-week ordeal.

“While the British government appeared to us to do little to get my brother back Ireland took his cause to heart and my family will be eternally grateful for the efforts that were made to try and get Ken out alive,” he said. “Irish government ministers were making important statements, quiet diplomacy was exercised and hundreds and hundreds of emails and letters of support poured in from the public all over Ireland.”

During his captivity the kidnappers released video footage of Mr Bigley who was chained and caged pleading for his life.