AN IRISH aid worker was still being detained in Ethiopia last night. A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said that it was hoped she would be released "as soon as possible".
The Minister of State for Development Aid, Ms Joan Burton, had said that she expected the woman, Ms Ann Mulcahy, to be released yesterday.
Ms Mulcahy, who is in her mid 30s, is an experienced aid administrator and has worked with the Save the Children Fund for a number of years. She was detained last Friday evening with six other aid workers. They were on their way to inspect a number of agricultural projects at the time.
A spokesman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said that the matter had been raised with the Ethiopian ambassador in London. The Irish charge d'affaires in Ethiopia, Mr David Barry, was liaising with the UK authorities, since some of their aid workers had also been detained.
The spokesman said that there was some concern about Ms Mulcahy's welfare. He explained that diplomatic matters were conducted very formally in Ethiopia. Ms Mulcahy's family was being kept informed of developments.