Ahern: We must respect Iraqi right to hang Saddam

Iraqis’ right to hang Saddam Hussein "must be respected" Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said today.

However, he stressed Ireland was opposed to the death penalty and expressed his personal opinion that the former dictator should have died in prison.

"My view is Saddam should have spent his last years behind bars for his heinous crimes,'' he said.

The minister made his remarks as television pictures broadcast around the world showed the ex-ruler lying wrapped in a shroud, his neck sharply twisted to one side, after his execution in Baghdad earlier today.