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13/11/2009
Kidnap Priest To Stay On
The freed priest, Fr Michael Sinnott - who is resting at the Columban missionaries' compound in the capital Manila after a 32-day kidnap ordeal - is to remain in the country.
The 79-year-old cleric, who suffers from a serious heart problem, said his captors treated him well and he remained in good health despite the primitive conditions.
"I hope to stay on here in the Philippines and go back to doing my work," he said last night.
"I don't know what my superiors are going to say about that, but that is my own wish," Fr Sinnott said.
The Co Wexford cleric said he had no desire to leave and believed he would not be targeted by kidnappers again.
"If they wanted to kidnap somebody, they'd be inclined to go for a much younger man because I was not able to always hike with the speed and keep going," he said.
Fr Sinnott, who runs a school for children with hearing and learning difficulties, was snatched by six gunmen from his gated house in Pagadian City, on the southern island of Mindanao on October 11.
After being taken away by speedboat he was initially held outdoors in a cramped, swamped area, sleeping rough in a hammock. But he was moved after 10 days to a more open space in the jungle where he said he was well looked after and able to wash in clean water.
"They treated me very well," he said, after being freed earlier this week.
(BMcC/NS)
The 79-year-old cleric, who suffers from a serious heart problem, said his captors treated him well and he remained in good health despite the primitive conditions.
"I hope to stay on here in the Philippines and go back to doing my work," he said last night.
"I don't know what my superiors are going to say about that, but that is my own wish," Fr Sinnott said.
The Co Wexford cleric said he had no desire to leave and believed he would not be targeted by kidnappers again.
"If they wanted to kidnap somebody, they'd be inclined to go for a much younger man because I was not able to always hike with the speed and keep going," he said.
Fr Sinnott, who runs a school for children with hearing and learning difficulties, was snatched by six gunmen from his gated house in Pagadian City, on the southern island of Mindanao on October 11.
After being taken away by speedboat he was initially held outdoors in a cramped, swamped area, sleeping rough in a hammock. But he was moved after 10 days to a more open space in the jungle where he said he was well looked after and able to wash in clean water.
"They treated me very well," he said, after being freed earlier this week.
(BMcC/NS)
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23 October 2009
Columbans Deny Reports Of Priest's Death
The Columban Fathers in the Philippines have denied reports the kidnapped Irish priest Fr Michael Sinnott is dead. The religious order is locked in negotiations for release of the 79-year-old Fr Sinnott's who was abducted by an armed gang in the city of Pagadian while taking a stroll on 11 October.
Columbans Deny Reports Of Priest's Death
The Columban Fathers in the Philippines have denied reports the kidnapped Irish priest Fr Michael Sinnott is dead. The religious order is locked in negotiations for release of the 79-year-old Fr Sinnott's who was abducted by an armed gang in the city of Pagadian while taking a stroll on 11 October.
13 October 2009
Kidnapped Priest Spotted
Fr Michael Sinnott, the Irish priest kidnapped in the Philippines, is reported to have been seen alive. The sightings have come from an area where Islamist militants are known to operate. Authorities said the 79-year-old priest and his heavily armed captors were seen yesterday on the coast of Moro Gulf on the southern island of Mindanao.
Kidnapped Priest Spotted
Fr Michael Sinnott, the Irish priest kidnapped in the Philippines, is reported to have been seen alive. The sightings have come from an area where Islamist militants are known to operate. Authorities said the 79-year-old priest and his heavily armed captors were seen yesterday on the coast of Moro Gulf on the southern island of Mindanao.
12 October 2009
Priest Snatched In The Philippines
A 79-year-old Irish priest has been kidnapped by armed men in a southern region of the Philippines. Father Michael Sinnott, from Barntown in Co Wexford, was taken by six gunmen after they stormed his residence near the southern city of Pagadian.
Priest Snatched In The Philippines
A 79-year-old Irish priest has been kidnapped by armed men in a southern region of the Philippines. Father Michael Sinnott, from Barntown in Co Wexford, was taken by six gunmen after they stormed his residence near the southern city of Pagadian.
12 November 2009
Priest Freed In Philippines
Just over a month after his kidnap, an elderly Irish priest has been released from captivity in the Philippines. Speaking today, he has told how he hiked through jungles, survived raging seas and slept in a swamp under a tarpaulin before his release.
Priest Freed In Philippines
Just over a month after his kidnap, an elderly Irish priest has been released from captivity in the Philippines. Speaking today, he has told how he hiked through jungles, survived raging seas and slept in a swamp under a tarpaulin before his release.
02 November 2009
Kidnap Priest Video Reveals 'Vital Clues'
A video of the captive priest Fr Sinnott has been released by his Philippine kidnappers, and is thought to contain "vital clues" to his exact location. The video, obtained by reporters at the weekend, showed the 79-year-old priest making a statement under duress in which he said his kidnappers were demanding $2m (€1.35m) ransom for his freedom.
Kidnap Priest Video Reveals 'Vital Clues'
A video of the captive priest Fr Sinnott has been released by his Philippine kidnappers, and is thought to contain "vital clues" to his exact location. The video, obtained by reporters at the weekend, showed the 79-year-old priest making a statement under duress in which he said his kidnappers were demanding $2m (€1.35m) ransom for his freedom.
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