Dublin, Apr 28 (EFE) – The Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney, expressed his condolences on Wednesday for the murder in Burkina Faso of two Spanish journalists and an Irish environmental activist, while “strongly” condemning the “actions of those responsible for the attack”.
Coveney confirmed today in a statement that the deceased Irish citizen is Rory Young, co-founder and president of the NGO “Chengeta Wildlife”, dedicated to combating poaching.
“Young was part of a group that was attacked on Monday morning by unknown assailants in eastern Burkina Faso,” explained the head of diplomacy in Dublin, who expressed his condolences to the activist’s family and those of “the two Spanish citizens who lost their lives in this tragic incident.”
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is in contact with Young’s family and continues to offer all possible consular assistance. We will continue to cooperate on this matter with the authorities and partners on the ground,” the note added.
According to Irish media reports today, Young was acting as a guide to the two murdered Spanish journalists, David BeriƔin and Roberto Fraile, in the making of a documentary on poaching in African wildlife parks.
Burkina Faso authorities said that the three were traveling in a convoy consisting of a vehicle and motorcycles when at 9 a.m. local time they were attacked by armed individuals, apparently terrorists, who opened fire.
The assailants, the same sources added, kidnapped the foreigners and then killed them.