The execution of two allies of former Iraq dictator Saddam Hussein has been condemned by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern.
Saddam's half-brother and former head of intelligence, Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti, and Awad al-Bander, former judge on his Revolutionary Court, were hanged today for crimes against humanity, 16 days after Saddam's controversial execution.
In a statement, Mr Ahern said: "The Government is firmly opposed to the use of the death penalty in all cases. This is also the EU position, and it has been communicated very clearly to the Iraqi government."
"I condemn this morning's executions. I regret that the Iraqi government did not listen to the appeals from the UN secretary general and others for a stay of execution in relation to these death sentences."
Mr Ahern said reports on the "gruesome circumstance"s of today's executions were "very disturbing".
"I believe it is in the interests of justice and reconciliation in Iraq that the Iraqi authorities now take the step of ending executions," he added.
"The priority now must be to stabilise the situation in Iraq, and help the Iraqi people to come together to rebuild their country after decades of the most brutal dictatorship and war. Iraq's neighbours must be encouraged to co-operate in this process and to end the slide towards terrible civil war."
Mr Ahern concluded: "The EU will continue to assist the Iraqi people. The Government last week announced assistance of a further €3 million for the large numbers of Iraqis who have been forced to flee their homes because of the appalling sectarian violence."