Family of hostage Irishman assisted as Algerian media report two others dead
The Department of Foreign Affairs said that it is assisting the family of an Irish man who is part of a group being held hostage in Algeria.
A married 36-year-old Irishman is believed to be unharmed after he was caught up in a terrorist attack on an oil facility in Algeria.
Algerian media have said that two people have been killed in the attack, including a British citizen.
The foreign workers were working at a gas plant which is partially operated by British oil giant BP.
Al Qaida said that its behind the abductions, claiming it is in revenge for the Algerian support of the French military operation in Mali.
Speaking through a translator the French President, Francois Hollande, accepts there could be a link:
Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has called for the immediate release of the Irish hostage. The man has an Irish passport and lives in Northern Ireland.
“The Government stands ready to use all the resources available to us to ensure that our citizen is released as soon as possible,” he said.
“I would ask that the family be allowed privacy at this difficult time.”
