Priest abducted in Philippines

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

Columban Missionary Father Michael Sinnott, from Co Wexford, was snatched by up to five men as he walked in his garden outside his home in Pagadian City on the island of Mindanao.

The Columbans said the men burst into the garden and bundled him into a pick-up truck before driving to a local beach.

“The vehicle was abandoned and burnt. Fr Michael was taken away in a speed boat,” a statement read.

Bishop of Pagadian Manny Cabajar and the Columban's regional director Fr Pat O'Donoghue are in touch with local authorities over the dramatic kidnapping.

Muslim guerrillas have been fighting for an independent state in the southern Philippines region for decades and have been known to target and kidnap foreigners, including priests.

Fr Sinnott, 80, from Barntown in the south-east county of Wexford, has been in the Philippines since 1976.

He has served in a variety of pastoral and administrative roles.