President Mary McAleese praised the "quiet and modest work" of Irish religious missionaries at a reception to honour Columban priest Fr Michael Sinnott, this afternoon.
Speaking at the reception for Fr Sinnott - who spent one month in capitivity in the Philippines - in Áras an Uachtaráin Mrs McAleese said some of the stories of 2009 had brought triumph in the face of adversity, Fr Sinnott's was a glowing example of that.
The President told Fr Sinnott the story of his captivity "started out very badly; It did not start out a good story".
"It was a very bad story, the kidnapping of a priest of almost 80 who was not in the full of his health. It had the potential to be a real tragedy, with at times it seemed, small chance of a happy ending."
Yet, she said, he had come home fresh and well and was with his family in the Áras just days before the celebration of his 80th birthday. "It really is a privilege for this house to welcome a man of such courage, faith and grace under fire" she remarked.
The President also used the occasion to pay tribute to Fr Jeremiah Roche, the Irish Kiltegan priest murdered during a violent robbery in Kenya, last week.
Even as Fr Sinnott and his family were celebrating, Mrs McAleese said she knew they would wish her to send to Fr Roche's family and his Kiltegan colleagues "our deepest condolences. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilis".
The President said it was ironic that Fr Sinnott's kidnapping provided a chance to learn about the work which Irish priests "do so quietly and modestly".
It was, she said, "wonderful work which brings huge benefit to the people you help and it also, brings rightly high regard for the Columbans".
"But it also brings, importantly, very high regard for Ireland. You are the hands of very important work and you are the heart of that work".
The President said she particularly wanted to recognise Ireland's "indefatigable ambassador Dick O'Brien" and everyone from the Irish, European and Philippine governments who she said had worked so hard to secure Fr Sinnott's release.
"They have had more experience than they would have wished in bringing the kidnapped Irish safely home . . . as you know [charity worker] Sharon Cummins came home safely after a very very long ordeal."
President McAleese wished Fr Sinnott "the happiest of birthdays" when he turns 80-years old on Thursday.
