In October 1975, Dutch businessman Tiede Herrema (21 April 1921 – 24 April 2020) was kidnapped by the Provisional IRA in Castletroy, near Limerick. This triggered a large police investigation and a two-week siege, after which Herrema was released unharmed.
Tiede Herrema | |
|---|---|
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| Born | April 21, 1921 |
| Died | April 24, 2020 (aged 99) |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Being kidnapped by the Provisional IRA |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Herrema |
Biography
editTiede Herrema was born in Zuilen (then a municipality, today part of Utrecht) in 1921. During World War II, he was arrested by Nazis because he was in the Dutch resistance, and was sent to a concentration camp in Poland.[1] After being liberated by Soviet forces, he walked 500 km to American lines.[1] In the 1970s, Herrema ran a wire factory, Ferenka, in the city of Limerick, Ireland. At the time, this was the city's biggest employer, with approximately 1,400 workers.[2]
Kidnapping and rescue
editOn the morning of 3 October 1975, having just left his home in Castletroy near Limerick, Herrema was abducted by Provisional Irish Republican Army members Eddie Gallagher and Marion Coyle.[2] The kidnappers demanded the release of three IRA prisoners, including Rose Dugdale.[3]
After a massive security operation, the kidnappers were eventually traced on 21 October 1975 to a house in Monasterevin, County Kildare. After a further two-week-long siege, Herrema was released, shaken, but unharmed.[4] He left Ireland soon after.[citation needed]
Aftermath
editHe eventually returned to Ireland to present an episode of Saturday Live in 1987.[5] He and his wife Elizabeth were made honorary Irish citizens in 1975,[6] and he was made a Freeman of the city of Limerick. In 2005, he donated his personal papers to the University of Limerick.[4] Herrema died in April 2020, 5 days after his wife's death and 3 days after his 99th birthday.[7][1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c McGreevy, Ronan (27 April 2020). "'Great friend of Ireland': IRA kidnap victim Tiede Herrema dies aged 99". Irish Times. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
- ^ a b "IRA kidnap victim returns to city". BBC News. 18 October 2005. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
- ^ "The Hostage Dilemma". Time. 20 October 1975. Archived from the original on 22 January 2011. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
- ^ a b "Herrema donating papers to UL library". RTÉ News. 18 October 2005. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
- ^ "The Dr Tiede Herrema Papers" (PDF). University of Limerick. April 2011. Retrieved 23 October 2019.
- ^ "Parliamentary Debates (Official Report - Unrevised) Dáil Éireann Tuesday, 30 November 2004". Houses of the Oireachtas. 30 November 2004. Retrieved 6 June 2009.
- ^ "President Higgins pays tribute to Tiede Herrema". RTÉ News. 27 April 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
External links
edit- 1975: IRA kidnappers release industrialist — BBC News retrospective
- Kidnapped - The Herrema Diaries 2005 Interview with Tiede Herrema from the RTÉ Radio Documentary On One series (RealAudio)