Iraqi insurgents deny Hassan kidnapping

IRAQI insurgents yesterday denied involvement in the kidnapping of Margaret Hassan, the Dublin-born charity worker seized six days ago.

Commanders of five separate groups operating in Fallujah said they were not holding Ms Hassan and one suggested she was snatched by a criminal gang.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said there is still no information on the identity of those who kidnapped Ms Hassan, who has lived for three decades in Iraq and was the country director for the charity Care International.