15 weeks after his release, the engineer still can't get exit visa

THE Irish family of an Australian man who was released after four years in a hellhole Iraqi jail said he is now homeless in Baghdad after he was denied an exit visa and they ran out of money.

- BY SEAN MURPHY

Robert Pether, who has been living in Elphin, Co Roscommon, was released in the Iraqi capital nearly 15 weeks ago but he has not been allowed return to Ireland.

His distraught wife Desree, 53, told this paper that Rob, 49, now has nowhere to live as the family has run out of money.

She said: "He didn't have anywhere to stay last Friday. We are very lucky that he did not end up on the street.

"Thankfully, a very good Samaritan came to his rescue and Rob has got somewhere to stay, but he was looking at couch-surfing with other good Samaritans.

"That's his future now, before he ends up on the street. The Australian embassy suggested to him that he should look for homeless shelters. That's where we are at."

Referring to a shocking image of Rob, Desree added: "The photo is from last Friday and that is after 14 weeks of release and eating in a bid to put on weight. That is the condition of him after eating for all that time to get better."

CONFESSION