Rumours about Fr Sinnott death ‘unsubstantiated’

The Department of Foreign Affairs says it has been assured by the Philippine Government that rumours surrounding the fate of kidnapped priest Fr Michael Sinnott have not been verified.

Reports in the south-east Asian country claim the Columban missionary, who is from Barntown in Co Wexford, has died.

However, the Department of Foreign Affairs says it is in constant contact with the authorities in the Philippines, who are insisting that the rumours are unsubstantiated.

Fr Sinnott was kidnapped from his home in the city of Pagadian by an armed gang earlier this month.

The Philippine military apparently knows where he is being held and has surrounded the area.

However, it has decided not to mount a rescue operation due to the risk that the 79-year-old could be killed.