Dangerous tactics in kidnap case

THE very quick and safe release of reporter Rory Carroll in Iraq is to be welcomed. However, as in all such incidents, questions should be asked concerning any proposed methods that might have been used to gain his release.

In particular, remarks injudiciously made by Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern, within about an hour of Rory’s release, give cause for concern.

The minister confirmed that the Government had been about to send a special team, including two army officers (possibly members of the Ranger Wing), to Iraq.