Hassan family and Ahern appeal as new video released

MARGARET HASSAN’S sisters yesterday made an emotional appeal for the kidnapped Irish aid worker to be released after viewing a video of their sister in a disturbing new video.

Bertie Ahern expressed deep concern about the well-being of Mrs Hassan yesterday as he warned that "dangerous and serious time-scales" were mentioned in the latest video released by her kidnappers.

New video footage of the Irish-born hostage was received by Arabic television station Al Jazeera, but has not yet been shown as it was too disturbing. Mr Ahern said that time was of the essence After viewing the latest video, Mrs Hassan's sisters, Deirdre, Geraldine and Catherine Fitzsimons met with Mr Ahern at Government buildings and then made an emotional appeal to the kidnappers.