The Indo Daily: 50 years on: The 'passion' kidnapping of Tiede Herrema and the IRA's Bonnie and Clyde

"On the run from the authorities and determined to set their respective lovers free, the duo of Eddie Gallagher and Marian Coyle found themselves in Limerick, armed with weapons and a cunning plan to kidnap a leading European businessman to apply pressure on the Irish and British governments. Their victim however, Dr Tiede Herrema would be a much shrewder hostage than they expected. Dr Herrema, who was managing the Ferenka plant in Limerick, was flagged down at a garda checkpoint as he drove to an early morning meeting."

"The 'guard' whipped out a revolver and bundled the 54-year-old into a getaway car. A phone call to the Dutch embassy demanded the release of three republican prisoners from prison. Failing the release of the trio, the industrialist would be "executed" in 48 hours. The bogus garda was rogue republican bomber Eddie Gallagher, on the run from the law north and south, and from ex-IRA pals now gunning for him."

"Dr Herrema was held for ransom for 36 days. Eventually, gardaí received intelligence which led them to a property in Monasterevin, Co Kildare, on October 21. The bizarre incident would culminate in a dramatic siege for the final 18 days of the incident involving the Army at the house in Monasterevin, Co Kildare. It came to an end when he was released unharmed on November 7, when the IRA members threw their guns out the window of the house. While deeply shaken by his ordeal, Dr Herrema was physically unharmed."

Eddie Gallagher and Marian Coyle abducted Dr Tiede Herrema, the manager of the Ferenka plant in Limerick, by impersonating a garda and forcing him into a getaway car. The kidnappers demanded the release of three republican prisoners from the Dutch embassy and threatened to execute the industrialist within 48 hours if demands were not met. Dr Herrema endured 36 days in captivity as intelligence eventually led gardaí to a Monasterevin safe house. A subsequent 18-day siege involving the Army ended on November 7 when the IRA members surrendered and Dr Herrema was released physically unharmed.

Read at Irish Independent