Irish Red Cross Chairman David Andrews extends condolences to Margaret Hassan's family

Mr Andrews, who had appealed for the release of Ms Hassan at the time of her abduction said he was shocked that her captors had committed such an atrocity.

"This is a horrific act of violence against a woman who had devoted her life to serving the people of Iraq, particularly its most vulnerable, those who are poor, sick and most in need of help. I'm deeply saddened at the suffering that must have been endured by Ms Hassan in the last month and I'm shocked at the cruel manner in which she was killed," Mr Andrews said.

The Red Cross Chairman also noted that International Humanitarian Law is very specific in outlawing the taking of hostages and "violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds..." (Article Three common to the Four Geneva Conventions).

He disclosed that the Red Cross will remain in Iraq and review its security measures on a day-to-day basis. Its operations have already been severely limited owing to the security situation and no new particular actions have been decided for now.

Ends.