A review of the government’s efforts to secure the release of Sharon Commins, the aid worker held captive in Sudan for 107 days, has been told the abductions were organised and directed by a “Mr Big”, most likely a son of Musa Hilal — a Darfurian warlord who helped negotiate the hostages’ freedom.

The assessment, passed to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), is based on intelligence reports and analysis of the communications network used by the kidnappers.

Commins, 32, and Hilda Kawuki, 44, a colleague from Uganda, were freed last month by a gang who abducted them from a compound run by the Irish aid agency Goal in Kutum on July 3. Although it has been claimed the kidnappers were criminals who acted alone and were motivated by money, it is thought they were directed by a third party.

The security services now believe the kidnappings were expertly planned. The gang used a sophisticated communications system with counter-surveillance measures to avoid detection by the Sudanese military. The involvement in the negotiations of Hilal, a militia leader who is the subject of travel and financial sanctions imposed by the United Nations over his involvement in war crimes, is also being examined.

Garda and army experts advising the DFA believe Hilal played a central role leading up to Commins’ release, but are not sure his motivation was genuine. Hilal was asked by the Sudanese government to use his influence among the Arabic tribes of Darfur.

“We believe Hilal knew the identity of the kidnappers from the start,” said a security source. “What is not known is whether he tried to secure the hostages’ release, or whether he ‘allowed’ the negotiations to drag on to ensure the Sudanese government continued to send money to the tribes of Darfur which are loyal to him.

“Matters are further complicated because all the intelligence available to the UN suggests that one of his sons organised the kidnappings.”

Last week, the Sudanese authorities admitted they paid $150,000 (€100,000) to local authorities and tribal elders to help release the two hostages. The review is part of a DFA effort to fine-tune its response to future kidnappings. When Commins and Kawuki were taken it assembled a team of gardai, defence force personnel and civil servants to go to Sudan, but they had little or no involvement in the talks, which were directed by the Sudanese military. The review is likely to make suggestions on how the agencies could co-operate more effectively in future.

The kidnappings have also brought the operations of Goal, which employed the two aid workers, under scrutiny. It is reviewing security protocols and procedures in Sudan. The agency declined to answer questions last week about security training given to staff in hostile countries. The review will almost certainly examine how the kidnappers were able to enter the workers’ compound.

“For the foreseeable future no Goal international staff member will work in Darfur,” said John O’Shea, the aid agency’s chief executive.

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