Irish hostage's family express gratitude for public support

MARY FITZGERALD Foreign Affairs Correspondent

THE FAMILY of the Irish aid worker held hostage in Darfur for more than 100 days has expressed appreciation for the support it has received since the kidnapping occurred.

Sharon Commins (32), from Clontarf, and her colleague Hilda Kawuki (42), a nutritionist from Uganda, were abducted at gunpoint after armed men stormed their compound in the north Darfur town of Kutum on July 3rd last. The two women work for Irish aid agency Goal.

Special prayers were said at Masses throughout the country yesterday to mark the women’s 100th day in captivity.

“We are so grateful for all that is being done and for all the support we have received,” Ms Commins’s father Mark told The Irish Times last night.

“We want to say thank you to all those who have said prayers and novenas, and to all those who have sent us Mass cards.

“We hope that people will continue to remember Sharon and Hilda in their prayers until they are released.”

Goal’s chief executive John O’Shea also conveyed his thanks to the Government and the Irish people for being so supportive since July.

A team of Irish diplomats and negotiators remains in Sudan as efforts to secure the women’s release continue.

Last week, Sudan’s minister for humanitarian affairs, who is overseeing negotiations with the kidnappers, travelled with the Irish and Ugandan ambassadors to El Fasher, the main town in north Darfur, to discuss the case with tribal elders.

The Minister later said the elders condemned the kidnapping and agreed with the Sudanese authorities that a ransom should not be paid to those responsible.

More than 350 people have signed up to a Facebook page established by Ms Commins’s friends to highlight the women’s plight.

An ecumenical service will be held at Dublin’s Pro-Cathedral tomorrow evening at 6.30pm to show solidarity with the two women.