GUNMEN in the Philippines have kidnapped three more people, raising renewed fears for the safety of abducted Irish priest Fr Michael Sinnott.

MAJOR concerns remain about the wellbeing of Fr Michael Sinnott despite the release of a video by his kidnappers in the Philippines at the weekend, according to Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin.

The Philippine military says a video released by the kidnappers of Irish missionary priest Fr Michael Sinnott could give them vital clues to his location.

Kidnappers of an Irish missionary seized in the southern Philippines are demanding a €1.4m ransom in exchange for his freedom.

The elderly Irish priest snatched by a kidnap gang in the Philippines is believed to be alive and has received vital medicine for a heart problem, it emerged today.

THE Department of Foreign Affairs has discounted speculation that kidnapped Irish priest Fr Michael Sinnott has died in captivity.

A massive public rally will be held tomorrow in the Philippines demanding a kidnap gang release an ailing Wexford-born priest snatched almost a fortnight ago.

The Department of Foreign Affairs says it has been assured by the Philippine Government that rumours surrounding the fate of kidnapped priest Fr Michael Sinnott have not been verified.

SMILING alongside Ireland’s most powerful office holders, a grateful but nervous Sharon Commins was praised for her courage and endurance after her 107-day ordeal in Sudan.

FEARS are growing for the safety of kidnapped Irish priest Fr Michael Sinnott after military authorities in the Philippines yesterday admitted that they do not know for certain where he is.

THE elderly Irish priest being held hostage in the Philippines is still alive but has become very weak as his health fails, according to a military commander who made contact yesterday with his kidnappers.

The Irish ambassador to Singapore is travelling to the Philippines to help secure the release of Fr Michael Sinnott, who was abducted by armed men yesterday.