Statement: family of Margaret Hassan

"The family of Margaret Hassan is devastated and appalled by the short two-hour court hearing today in Baghdad

"The family of Margaret Hassan is devastated and appalled by the short two-hour court hearing today in Baghdad. There was a successful prosecution of Mustafa Mohammed Salman Saleh Al-Jabouri for 'joining the group who kidnapped Margaret', but we hoped to find out who killed Margaret and why she was killed.

"At today's trial, we hoped to discover the whereabouts of her body. Until we know who was responsible for her death and until her remains are returned to us, justice is not served and we continue to grieve.

"One of the men in court today used Margaret's mobile phone to call her husband and make demands. He was found in possession of her personal belongings. He admitted to interrogating her. During her captivity she was shown neither pity nor humanity and today's events continue to deny our sister respect.

"The British government's handling of Margaret's kidnapping was inept. Their refusal to interview the kidnappers who were arrested by US forces on May 1st, 2005, leaves our family to draw one conclusion: they would have to admit to incompetence in this investigation. We feel that Margaret has been betrayed and that truth and justice have been denied.

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"Margaret's loss is not only to her family but also to the Iraqi people for whom she worked tirelessly. The world and especially Iraq is a much poorer place without her. These men know that one day they will have to answer to God. One day the truth will be told about what happened to Margaret and why it happened; until that day we ask you to keep her in your prayers and in your hearts.

"We thank the Irish Government and Michael D Higgins who have tried to help us in our search for truth and justice.

"We ask men and women of compassion to plead with the authorities to make an honest attempt to recover Margaret's body, that we may give her the honour of a dignified burial."