Concerns grow for kidnapped Irish priest
Father Michael Sinnott, 79, was snatched by five men who it is thought may have tricked house-keeping staff into unlocking the gated Columban compound in Pagadian City, on the southern island of Mindanao.
The gang grabbed the Co Wexford priest, bundled him into a pick-up truck and fled to a nearby beach where they escaped by speed boat. Fr Pat O’Donoghue, the Columban’s regional director in the Philippines, said he was fearful Fr Sinnott’s health could be affected. “He’s a very robust man for his age, but he had... a heart by-pass four years ago,” he said from Manila. “The concern I would have is that if he does not have his medication this would be a very serious thing... especially given the shock.”
Muslim guerrillas have been fighting for an independent state in the southern Philippines region for decades and have been known to kidnap foreigners, including priests. But authorities do not yet know who is behind the abduction as no group has claimed responsibility. The kidnapping happened at about 11.30am yesterday when Fr Sinnott, from Barntown, was walking in his private garden.
