Northern Ireland

EU ambassador to Sudan, Aidan O'Hara in 'good shape' after being attacked

Smoke rises over the horizon as a fire burns after a strike in Khartoum, Sudan. Picture by AP Photo/Abdullah Moneim
Smoke rises over the horizon as a fire burns after a strike in Khartoum, Sudan. Picture by AP Photo/Abdullah Moneim

EU ambassador to Sudan, Aidan O'Hara, who is Irish, is in "good shape" after being attacked in his residency, Tanaiste Micheal Martin has said.

Mr Martin said the safety of Irish citizens in the African country was "paramount" as he appealed for an end to the violence in the nation.

His comments come after it was reported that Mr O'Hara was assaulted at his home in the capital Khartoum.

Around 185 people have been killed and more than 1,800 injured in three days of fighting in Sudan, according to the UN.

Speaking in Belfast on Tuesday, Mr Martin said: "Aidan is in good shape, thanks be to God.

"We were very worried last evening when we heard of the robbery and the attack.

"The situation is very, very fraught in Sudan, we appeal to both sides to cease all hostilities and to implement the framework has been arrived at and I would ask the protagonists to heed the words of the UN Secretary General in respect of ending the violence and engaging in talks.

"We do have a number of Irish citizens in Sudan, many working with international organisations, Aidan is a UN ambassador in Sudan. We're keeping obviously a very close eye on their wellbeing.

"Obviously, it's very difficult to leave the country right now (with) the situation at the airport in Khartoum.

"We're hoping to keep the situation, with our colleagues within the European Union and with the United Kingdom, we'll continue to monitor that and obviously from our perspective, the safety of our citizens is paramount."