It has been confirmed tonight that Fr Michael Sinnott, an elderly Irish priest held captive by a kidnap gang in the Philippines, has been released.

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 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.

KIDNAPPED Irish priest Michael Sinnott is in critical condition due to malnutrition and lack of medicine for his heart condition.

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.

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 Philippine military said yesterday it knows where a kidnapped elderly Irish priest is being held on a remote southern island and contact had been made with his abductors to get the hostage lifesaving medicine.

Missionaries tonight pleaded with a kidnap gang who took an ailing Irish priest hostage to allow him access to vital heart medication.

Fears were growing today for the health of an elderly Irish missionary who was dramatically kidnapped in the Philippines by armed raiders who burst into his home.

FEARS were growing last night for the health of an elderly Irish priest who was dramatically kidnapped in the Philippines by armed raiders who burst into his home.

An Irish priest was kidnapped by an armed gang in the Philippines tonight.