Police thanked after hijack
Ger Mulconroy, 72, had travelled to Sierra Leone to try and recover a large sum of money he had invested in a gold-mining venture.
He had just left the Birumani Hotel in the capital Freetown, when he was bundled into a 4x4 by a group of armed men.
Mr Mulconroy was freed a short time later when police intercepted the vehicle used by the gang. He was unharmed.
At the time he was on his way to get documents which he intended passing on to police in an effort to recover money he had given as part of an investment in mining.
Mr Mulconroy returned to Parteen on the outskirts of Limerick on Thursday, where he runs the Tailrace pub.
In a statement yesterday, he said: “On behalf of my family and myself I want to express my appreciation to the authorities in Sierra Leone and to the Department of Foreign Affairs for the support they have given men following a security incident in that country.
“I have no wish to discuss the details and to do so might well jeopardise other proceedings which may take place in due course. However, I am greatly appreciative of the support which I have received and the goodwill which has been directed to me.”
Mr Mulcronroy had previously been involved in a business venture in Russia after the collapse of the USSR.
Mr Mulcronroy comes originally from Labasheeda in west Clare and has owned the Tailrace pub for the past 20 years.
According to reports from the international news wire services, members of the Sierra Loena Presidential Guard were involved in the abduction in an effort to intimidate Mr Mulcronroy from making a complaint to police.
