I asked Simon Harris for a meeting a month ago... I hope that happens soon

Wife of Iraq 'hostage' seeks help to bring 'very sick Robert home

- BY SEAN MURPHY

THE Irish wife of Iraq “hostage” Robert Pether has urged the Tanaiste to meet her amid increasingly urgent fears for her husband's life in a Baghdad jail.

The 49-year-old construction engineer, who is married to Roscommon woman Desree Pether, has been locked up since April 2021.

He was jailed four years ago in a €20million contract row between his Dubai-based employer and the Central Bank of Iraq.

She revealed her husband's health is deteriorating rapidly and she wants help from Tanaiste Simon Harris, who is also Foreign Minister.

His predecessor Micheal Martin, who is now Taoiseach, told the Dail in 2021 after Rob's initial arrest Ireland “will do everything we possibly can”.

Last night, Desree, 53, spoke on behalf of the couple and their children Flynn, 21, Oscar, 19, and 12-year-old Nala.

She revealed Rob is so “very sick” he is now “unrecognisable” with “bones protruding” from his skin.

Desree told