Menu
16/01/2013
NI Man Abducted By Algerian Militants
A Northern Irish man is among a group of foreigners abducted by Islamist militants in eastern Algeria.
Algerian security officials say one person has been killed and the rest abducted following an attack on a gas facility.
Islamist militants thought to be linked to Al-Qaeda say they carried out the attack.
The man from Northern Ireland is travelling on an Irish passport.
Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore has called for the man's immediate release.
"The government stands ready to use all the resources available to us to ensure that our citizen is released as soon as possible," he said.
"I would ask that the family be allowed privacy at this difficult time."
A statement from the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs said: "The consular assistance unit in the department is providing consular assistance to the family and are in close contact with its international partners and a wide range of other contacts in order to establish the facts of the situation. At this stage, the identity and motives of the kidnappers is unknown."
The British Foreign Office has confirmed its nationals have been working in the area where a "terrorist incident is ongoing".
The Algerian army has begun an operation to recover the hostages.
The gas field is a joint operation by BP, the Algerian state oil company Sonatrach and the Norwegian state energy firm, Statoil.
The attack follows the stationing of French troops in neighbouring Mali to remove Islamist militants.
French aircraft has been attacking targets in Mali since the militants’ uprising.
(IT)
Algerian security officials say one person has been killed and the rest abducted following an attack on a gas facility.
Islamist militants thought to be linked to Al-Qaeda say they carried out the attack.
The man from Northern Ireland is travelling on an Irish passport.
Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore has called for the man's immediate release.
"The government stands ready to use all the resources available to us to ensure that our citizen is released as soon as possible," he said.
"I would ask that the family be allowed privacy at this difficult time."
A statement from the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs said: "The consular assistance unit in the department is providing consular assistance to the family and are in close contact with its international partners and a wide range of other contacts in order to establish the facts of the situation. At this stage, the identity and motives of the kidnappers is unknown."
The British Foreign Office has confirmed its nationals have been working in the area where a "terrorist incident is ongoing".
The Algerian army has begun an operation to recover the hostages.
The gas field is a joint operation by BP, the Algerian state oil company Sonatrach and the Norwegian state energy firm, Statoil.
The attack follows the stationing of French troops in neighbouring Mali to remove Islamist militants.
French aircraft has been attacking targets in Mali since the militants’ uprising.
(IT)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
17 January 2013
NI Man Still Held Hostage In Algeria
A man from Northern Ireland is still being held hostage by a group of Islamic militants in Algeria. The 36-year-old Belfast man is being held at a gas facility at In Amenas, in the east of the country. About 20 foreign nationals are thought be held hostage by the group, which attacked and occupied the gas facility on Wednesday.
NI Man Still Held Hostage In Algeria
A man from Northern Ireland is still being held hostage by a group of Islamic militants in Algeria. The 36-year-old Belfast man is being held at a gas facility at In Amenas, in the east of the country. About 20 foreign nationals are thought be held hostage by the group, which attacked and occupied the gas facility on Wednesday.
18 January 2013
Belfast Hostage Ready To Come Home
A Belfast man who had been kidnapped by militants in Algeria is making arrangements to return home. 36-year-old Stephen McFaul had been held at a BP gas facility along with other foreign nationals. It has emerged Mr McFaul was able to escape after the jeep in which he was travelling crashed.
Belfast Hostage Ready To Come Home
A Belfast man who had been kidnapped by militants in Algeria is making arrangements to return home. 36-year-old Stephen McFaul had been held at a BP gas facility along with other foreign nationals. It has emerged Mr McFaul was able to escape after the jeep in which he was travelling crashed.
28 November 2024
Man Charged After Glenarm Shooting
Detectives investigating the incident on Feystown Road on Monday, 25 November, have charged a 41-year-old man with attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and criminal damage. The accused is due to appear at Ballymena Magistrates’ Court today, Thursday, 28 November.
Man Charged After Glenarm Shooting
Detectives investigating the incident on Feystown Road on Monday, 25 November, have charged a 41-year-old man with attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and criminal damage. The accused is due to appear at Ballymena Magistrates’ Court today, Thursday, 28 November.
26 November 2024
Police Ombudsman Issues Appeal Regarding West Belfast Arrest
An appeal for witnesses regarding the arrest of a man in west Belfast has been issued by the Police Ombudsman. The man was arrested by police in the Beechview Park of the Falls Road at approximately 1am on Sunday, October 6.
Police Ombudsman Issues Appeal Regarding West Belfast Arrest
An appeal for witnesses regarding the arrest of a man in west Belfast has been issued by the Police Ombudsman. The man was arrested by police in the Beechview Park of the Falls Road at approximately 1am on Sunday, October 6.
10 November 2003
Algerian man denies charges over terrorist links
An Algerian national, Abbas Boutrab, who has denied three charges related to terrorist offences, has been remanded in custody. Mr Boutrab, 25, was charged with receiving instruction in the use of explosives, possession of items of use to terrorists, and possession of documents of use to terrorists.
Algerian man denies charges over terrorist links
An Algerian national, Abbas Boutrab, who has denied three charges related to terrorist offences, has been remanded in custody. Mr Boutrab, 25, was charged with receiving instruction in the use of explosives, possession of items of use to terrorists, and possession of documents of use to terrorists.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
