Martin seeks answers after Hassan killer goes missing

MINISTER for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin has demanded the Iraqi government explain the disappearance from prison of the man who kidnapped and killed Irish aid worker Margaret Hassan.

In a letter to be delivered this morning, Mr Martin is expected to tell his Iraqi counterpart he is concerned about reports that Ali Lufti Jassar al-Rawi, serving a life sentence for murdering the Dublin-born aid worker in 2004, has escaped custody.

The body of 59-year-old Ms Hassan has never been found and the minister believes the Iraqi government must provide assistance in locating it because her family want to give her a christian burial.