Family fear Irish oil worker may be dead

THE family of an Irish oil worker kidnapped in Ecuador fear he is dead after authorities in the South American country said they were now searching for two bodies.

John Buckley, 60, and from Co Offaly, was kidnapped along with his driver Luis Diaz three months ago. Prayers for his safe return were made over Christmas in his home village of Kilmucklin.

Parish priest Fr Martin Burke said yesterday: “The family are very worried and were fearing that John would not be found alive because the report they had was a ransom was paid some weeks ago and he has not turned up since.”