Family waits on news of capture of Hassan’s killers
In the first apparent breakthrough since Mrs Hassan’s disappearance last October, American and Iraqi forces reported five of 11 suspected insurgents arrested during a raid in an area south of Baghdad had confessed to involvement in her death.
The Department of Foreign Affairs last night said it had not been briefed on any the reported new developments in Iraq.
A spokesperson said there had been no contact with the relatives of Mrs Hassan.
“We have not been approached by the family at this stage.”
According to reports from Baghdad, a number of personal items were discovered during the raid, including a purse, a woman’s clothing and documents bearing Mrs Hassan’s signature and the logo of the CARE International aid organisation for which she worked.
“We believe this is the first evidence that’s been found regarding her since her death,” said Martin Cronin, first secretary at the British Embassy in Baghdad. He said British authorities were carrying out urgent investigations and liaising with US and Iraqi authorities.
Mrs Hassan, 59, was born in Dublin but was living and working in Britain when she met her Iraqi husband, economist and academic Tahseen Hassan.
The couple moved to Iraq in the 1970s and Mrs Hassan worked in health projects, turning to aid work during the first Gulf War and becoming a campaigner for children affected by the debilitating sanctions imposed on the country in the wake of that conflict.
She was kidnapped on her way to work in Baghdad on October 19 and her captors later released video footage showing her pleading for her life.
A month later, a further recording was issued showing a woman being executed. British officials and Mrs Hassan’s family said they believed she was dead but no body was recovered.
One of Mrs Hassan’s sisters, Geraldine Riney, lives in Kenmare, Co Kerry.
The family declined to comment on the development last night.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
