THE wife of a Dutch businessman who was kidnapped and held hostage by the IRA in the Republic during the 1970s has died, aged 94.
Elisabeth Herrema, who was married to Tiede Herrema, died in the Netherlands on Sunday following an illness.
She rose to prominence in 1975 when her husband, who was the managing director of the Limerick factory Ferenka, was abducted by IRA members Eddie Gallagher and Marion Coyle.
The kidnappers had demanded the release of three high-profile republican prisoners in exchange for Dr Herrema.
The businessman was held hostage for 36 days and during the last 18 days of the kidnapping, was trapped with his kidnappers inside a room in a housing estate in Monasterevin, Co Kildare, surrounded by gardaí and the world’s media.
At the time, Mrs Herrema spoke to RTÉ to say the Irish government should not pay the £2 million ransom demanded by the kidnappers, who had believed she would put pressure on the Liam Cosgrave government to secure the deal.
She was flown out of Ireland amid fears she would be a target. She also persuaded the Dutch government that the situation was being handed by authorities in Ireland.
On November 7, the hostage ordeal came to an end when the IRA members threw their guns out the window of the house.
Dr Herrema was released unharmed.
The couple, who were married for 72 years, were later made honorary Irish citizens and regularly visited Ireland.
Mrs Herrema is survived by her husband, who turned 99 yesterday, and their four children and grandchildren. Her funeral is due to take place in the Netherlands tomorrow.
