29/11/2004
Flanigan to return home after short holiday
The UN worker from County Armagh, Annetta Flanigan, who was held captive for 27 days in Afghanistan is expected to return home after a short holiday.
Ms Flanigan is reported to have left the Afghan capital at the weekend for a break with her husband Jose, before going on to visit family and friends in Richhill, County Armagh.
Captured on October 28, along with two colleagues Shiqpe Hebibi from Kosovo and Filipino diplomat Angelito Nayan, Ms Flanigan spent 27 days in captivity.
It emerged that Ms Flanigan and her two co-workers were left in a park by their captors. Initial reports indicated that the trio had been freed as part of a series of successful security operations in Afghanistan, but a Nato spokesperson later said that the three had not been freed as a direct result of military operations. Government sources denied that a deal had been struck with the captors.
Following their release the three met briefly with the Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
Last week, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Paul Murphy, welcomed the news of the release. Mr Murphy said he hoped that Annetta and her colleagues "can now begin to put this dreadful experience behind them and carry on with their lives".
(SP)
Ms Flanigan is reported to have left the Afghan capital at the weekend for a break with her husband Jose, before going on to visit family and friends in Richhill, County Armagh.
Captured on October 28, along with two colleagues Shiqpe Hebibi from Kosovo and Filipino diplomat Angelito Nayan, Ms Flanigan spent 27 days in captivity.
It emerged that Ms Flanigan and her two co-workers were left in a park by their captors. Initial reports indicated that the trio had been freed as part of a series of successful security operations in Afghanistan, but a Nato spokesperson later said that the three had not been freed as a direct result of military operations. Government sources denied that a deal had been struck with the captors.
Following their release the three met briefly with the Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
Last week, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Paul Murphy, welcomed the news of the release. Mr Murphy said he hoped that Annetta and her colleagues "can now begin to put this dreadful experience behind them and carry on with their lives".
(SP)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
20 March 2024
Murphy Commits To Growing NI's Network Of Credit Unions
Economy Minister, Conor Murphy, has committed to growing Northern Ireland's network of credit unions.
Murphy Commits To Growing NI's Network Of Credit Unions
Economy Minister, Conor Murphy, has committed to growing Northern Ireland's network of credit unions.
15 February 2024
Minister Outlines Priorities For North-West Economy
NI's new Economy Minister, Conor Murphy, has met with business and education leaders to discuss his departments priorities for building the North-West economy. Following a meeting with the Derry Chamber of Commerce, Minister Murphy said: "Regional balance will be a key element of my economic strategy.
Minister Outlines Priorities For North-West Economy
NI's new Economy Minister, Conor Murphy, has met with business and education leaders to discuss his departments priorities for building the North-West economy. Following a meeting with the Derry Chamber of Commerce, Minister Murphy said: "Regional balance will be a key element of my economic strategy.
07 March 2024
Economy Minister Urges Businesses To 'Grasp The Opportunities'
The Windsor Framework protects the all-Ireland economy and "cross-border trade is surging", Economy Minister Conor Murphy has a trade conference. Speaking to more than 300 business and trade delegates at the Newry and Dundalk Chambers' Annual Cross-Border Conference which focused on 'Building a Sustainable All-Island Economy'.
Economy Minister Urges Businesses To 'Grasp The Opportunities'
The Windsor Framework protects the all-Ireland economy and "cross-border trade is surging", Economy Minister Conor Murphy has a trade conference. Speaking to more than 300 business and trade delegates at the Newry and Dundalk Chambers' Annual Cross-Border Conference which focused on 'Building a Sustainable All-Island Economy'.
20 February 2024
New Economic Mission Set Out By Conor Murphy
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has set out his vision for the future of Northern Ireland's economy, highlighting four key priorities as part of a new Economic Mission. Speaking in the Assembly, Minister Murphy said: "One objective is to create Good Jobs. Many workers and their families are denied a decent standard of living.
New Economic Mission Set Out By Conor Murphy
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has set out his vision for the future of Northern Ireland's economy, highlighting four key priorities as part of a new Economic Mission. Speaking in the Assembly, Minister Murphy said: "One objective is to create Good Jobs. Many workers and their families are denied a decent standard of living.
16 February 2024
Lord Mayor Ryan Murphy Launches Belfast XR Festival
Belfast Lord Mayor, Ryan Murphy, has officially launched the 2024 Belfast XR Festival at the Black Box in Hill Street. Now in its third year, Belfast XR specialises in curating worldclass immersive technology content that takes the art of storytelling to a new level.
Lord Mayor Ryan Murphy Launches Belfast XR Festival
Belfast Lord Mayor, Ryan Murphy, has officially launched the 2024 Belfast XR Festival at the Black Box in Hill Street. Now in its third year, Belfast XR specialises in curating worldclass immersive technology content that takes the art of storytelling to a new level.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Mainly dry this morning with sunny spells then scattered showers breaking out this afternoon. A chilly start then feeling warmer in afternoon sunshine. Light southerly winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:Any showers at first soon dying out. Then dry overnight with clear periods and turning chilly with a touch of frost later tonight. Minimum temperature 1 °C.