FOREIGN affairs minister Dermot Ahern this weekend pledged that the Irish government would "continue all its efforts" to try and locate the body of Irish-born aid worker Margaret Hassan.

Ahern said officials from his department had a "very constructive meeting" with two key Muslim religious leaders . . .

local Imam, Sheikh Hussein Haluke and the Iraqi-born executive director of the Islamic Culture Centre, Dr Noor Al-Kaddo . . . at the Mosque in Clonskeagh in Dublin on Friday.

Senior religious leaders of the Clonskeagh Mosque have "always been very helpful" and "once again they told us they would do all they could to assist in trying to locate Margaret's body", the minister said. "I anticipate renewed contact will be made with religious leaders in Baghdad to try and get information that might be of use to Margaret's family.

"What happened to Margaret Hassan has offended deeply the Irish Muslim community. Irish Muslims have been good citizens who have always offered to help the government here, " he said.

RED CROSS HOLDS DISASTER SEMINAR

A SEMINAR on how Ireland can deal with major emergencies was held yesterday by the Red Cross. The seminar examined how to coordinate our 10,000 skilled volunteers to help professional emergency personnel in the event of a major emergency. It included a speech from David Donegan from London Resilience, the state body that organised emergency services after the London bombings.

CONCERT FOR THE 'FORGOTTEN IRISH'

AN OPEN-AIR concert and exhibition will be held in aid of the 'forgotten Irish' in Britain on Friday 23 June. The 'Streets of London' concert will include top Irish acts such as the Fureys, Sharon Shannon, Lunasa and Dervish. The concert begins at 3pm in Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo.

McALEESE TO MEET MANDELA IN AFRICA

PRESIDENT Mary McAleese will meet former South African president Nelson Mandela on her 11day visit to Africa. The trip, which started yesterday, will include visits to projects that have directly benefited from Irish funding in Mozambique, Tanzania and Lesotho. It will be the first time an Irish head of state has made an official visit to Lesotho.

SNIFFER DOG WARDS OFF JAIL VISITORS

THERE has been a 15% drop in the number of visitors to the Midlands Prison in Laois since sniffer dog Dillon arrived at the end of May. The collie-springer spaniel has sniffed out 20 visitors who were trying to bring drugs into the prison or were in contact with drugs before their visit.

TAOISEACH TO CYCLE THROUGH DUBLIN

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern will cycle over 12km through Dublin today, accompanying a charity cycle for Irish Autism Action. Ten volunteers from St Andrew's GAA Club in Bagenalstown, Co Carlow, will be finishing their 11-day, 1,700km cycle in Dublin.

WATER SAFETY WARNS ON LIFEGUARDS

IRISH Water Safety has urged people swimming in the coming months to choose a life-guarded beach, river or lake . . . one of the criteria for receiving a blue flag. A spokesman said boating enthusiasts also need to use safety equipment. Around 170 people drown in Ireland each year, most of them in inland waters.