Book of condolence to open for hostage victim

A book of condolence is to be opened in Dublin in honour of the British hostage Kenneth Bigley who was killed in Iraq.

Dublin Lord Mayor Michael Conaghan invited anyone who wished to pass their sympathies to Mr Bigley’s family to come to the Mansion House.

“No words can express the horror we all felt at the news of the brutal murder of Kenneth Bigley,” he said.

“We all hoped and prayed for a different outcome and our thoughts are with his Dublin-born mother Lil and the rest of Mr Bigley’s family and friends.

“Few of us can understand the emotions felt by the Bigley family who displayed profound strength and dignity over the last couple of weeks.

“They have shown tremendous courage in their campaign to free Mr Bigley, an ordinary working man who was supporting his family.”

Mr Bigley was murdered in Iraq last week after being held by members of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi’s Tawhid and Jihad group for almost three weeks.

As part of efforts to free him prior to his death, the Government had supplied him with a passport on account of his mother’s Irish citizenship.

Visitors to the Mansion House will be able to sign the book of condolence from tomorrow at 10am until 5pm and on Wednesday from 10am to 5pm.