GOAL thanks public for support over kidnapped worker

The aid agency GOAL is thanking the Irish public for the support it has shown over the ongoing attempts to free kidnapped aid worker Sharon Commins and her Ugandan colleague Hilda Kawuki.

The two women were abducted by armed raiders almost three weeks ago at a GOAL compound in Darfur.

Representatives of both the Irish and Sudanese Governments are working to free the pair.

Their kidnappers are believed to have demanded a ransom for their release.

GOAL chief executive John O'Shea says he is still hopeful that they will be freed shortly.