Irish journalist reassured family over Iraq safety

THE father of Guardian journalist Rory Carroll, believed to have been kidnapped in Iraq, last night said his son had played down fears for his safety.

Joe Carroll said his son sought to reassure him in emails that Baghdad was not as dangerous as it had been portrayed in the media.

Mr Carroll told BBC Radio Ulster: “He knew we were worried but he used to reassure us and say that it was not as dangerous as people outside think. He said if you observed basic rules and security you would be OK. We knew he was playing it down for our sake and there was obvious danger.”

Mr Carroll also said that Rory, 33, who had been based in Baghdad for nine months, only intended to stay in Iraq for a year.

Mr Carroll said it was just a matter of playing the waiting game for news about his son.

Speaking outside his South Dublin home, retired Irish Times journalist Mr Carroll said: “The Guardian rang to tell us what had happened about the kidnapping, they hadn’t much to say beyond the fact he had been kidnapped.

“Three people were with him and one of them did get a bit roughed up but he was the only one kidnapped. We haven’t heard anything from him.”

Mr Carroll said he last saw Rory when he came home in August when the family threw a party for him at their seaside home.

“The Guardian and the British Embassy are doing their work... There’s a lot going on behind the scenes I’m not aware of - I’m just waiting,” he said.

Mr Carroll, a former foreign correspondent, said: “It was something we have been secretly dreading and were hoping would never happen.”

He said he would travel to Baghdad if it would help secure his son’s release.