Location of kidnapped Irish oil worker still unknown
The whereabouts of an Irish oil worker reportedly kidnapped in Ecuador in October is still unclear after a ransom of $25,000 (€23,800) was handed over to his abductors last month by his Argentinean employers.
John Buckley, 60, from Kilmucklin, Co Offaly, who had been living in Britain with his family, was abducted with a colleague.
Contact with the kidnappers and the authorities in Ecuador has been maintained through e-mail, while pictures of Mr Buckley holding current newspapers have also been received.
A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said last night that it could not comment on individual cases.
The local parish priest at Clara Church, Fr Martin Burke, called on his congregation over the Christmas period to pray for a local family in need.
It is reported that both Mr Buckley and his colleague may have been released, but are having difficulty trying to find their way to safety through the jungles of Ecuador.
