Eoin Butler: writer, journalist and Mayoman of the Year
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BREAKING NEWS: SINGER-SONGWRITER HELD CAPTIVE BY SOMALI PIRATES
From the Associated Press this morning…
MOGADISHU, Somalia – International forces hunted Tuesday for an Irish national feared taken captive by Somali pirates. As night fell units were trailing three suspicious vessels.
Musician Ollie Higgins, attempting to become the first singer-songwriter to cross the Atlantic ocean single-handed, was reportedly blown significantly off course before his craft was intercepted in the Gulf of Aden.
The veteran musician, who appeared on critic Smiley Bolger’s ‘ones to watch’ list a record-breaking six times (1987, ‘88, ‘90, ‘91 and ‘93), was taken captive by a group of armed militia men earlier this morning at about 3am.
The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement expressing sympathy for the victim’s family, but reiterating its position that it does not accede to ransom demands from hostage takers.
In a satellite phone call to the BBC, former Kill City Snowmen drummer Higgins appealed to fans for their assistance in raising what would be a record $7m (€4.3) ransom.
It’s not the first time Ollie has been in the wars this year – see also here and here.
Here’s an interview I conducted with Ollie in happier times.
And this one is especially for my old mate… Keep your spirits up, Ollie!
December 1st, 2009 at 10:19 am
As i may have said before, this poor guy doesn’t seem to have any luck!
December 1st, 2009 at 11:50 am
@ GG – things haven’t been going his way alright lately
@ EK – the search is ongoing as far as I know
December 1st, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Funny enough but this same joke will keep being funny how long exactly?
December 1st, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Free Olly Higgins!!
December 1st, 2009 at 2:16 pm
@Dolly – A man’s life and livelihood is at stake, it’s no joke. This is one situation Ollie won’t be able to drink his way out.
I fear Ollie Higgins will never be able to raise that ransom without government assistance, and in these recessionary times..
Hearts, Minds and Prayers, yadda yadda.
December 1st, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Well Dolly, I’m writer, director and executive producer around here. So this joke stays funny as long as I say it does. Longer if necessary! 🙂
December 1st, 2009 at 4:38 pm
On the plus side he gets to go in a speedboat….
December 1st, 2009 at 4:52 pm
@ Fintan – but on the other hand the pirates probably won’t return his sponsorship money. Bastards.
December 1st, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Maybe the pirates are just big fans? For all we know they could be Ollie Higgins obsessed back in their village and they’re taking him back to give him the life he truly deserves (and they need the ‘ransom’ money to get the drugs and bitches in)?
December 1st, 2009 at 7:01 pm
@ Rob – feckin’ hell, never even considered that possibility. The plot thickens!
December 1st, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Should we be sending our love down the well?
December 1st, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Mundy, Declan O’Rourke & Paddy Casey recording a version of I Shall Be Released AFAIK.
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:27 am
Big names….reckon they’ll make the full 7million though?
December 2nd, 2009 at 12:34 am
Bit of an odd route across the atlantic by Ollie there too, wasn’t it?
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:24 am
@ Matt – no they’re hoping to lure the pirates out of hiding with their sweet, sweet siren song.
Also Ollie elected to take the lesser known Transatlantic (via Suez) route. He’s a maverick, take him for all in all.
December 31st, 2009 at 4:08 pm
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