The Department of Foreign Affairs is assisting in the release of an Elphin based engineer detained in Iraq.
Robert Pether, who is originally from Sydney, was arrested on April 7th when he arrived at a meeting with his client, the Central Bank of Iraq, in Baghdad. Mr Pether, his wife and three children have been living in Elphin for the last number of years, the family hold dual citizenship.
It's understood that Mr Pether is in solitary confinement and has not been able to speak to his family since his arrest.
Senator Eugene Murphy raised the matter to the Seanad, he says while the family is getting great support locally, they need assistance to get him released.