This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6385287.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Sinn Fein reject abduction claims Republicans 'not behind kidnap'
(about 3 hours later)
Sinn Fein has rejected claims that mainstream republicans were involved in an abduction attempt in Londonderry. The father of a youth who was the victim of an abduction attempt in Londonderry has said mainstream republicans were not involved.
A youth from the city has said a masked IRA gang tried to abduct him in the Gobnascale estate in the Waterside. The 17-year-old had said a masked IRA gang tried to abduct him in the Gobnascale estate in the Waterside at about 0600 GMT.
It happened at Tamneymore Park at about 0600 GMT. The 17-year-old was leaving for work when he was confronted outside his house. However, his father said that after making further inquiries he now did not believe this was the case.
Earlier, Sinn Fein said it also rejected the claims.
The abduction attempt happened at Tamneymore Park.
Police said they are investigating reports of suspicious activity in the area and have appealed for witnesses.Police said they are investigating reports of suspicious activity in the area and have appealed for witnesses.
The teenager said he has been threatened before by republicans.The teenager said he has been threatened before by republicans.
However, Sinn Fein councillor for the area Paul Fleming said he was satisfied republicans were not responsible.However, Sinn Fein councillor for the area Paul Fleming said he was satisfied republicans were not responsible.
"What I can say on behalf of Sinn Fein is republicans weren't involved, and I can only speak for Sinn Fein."What I can say on behalf of Sinn Fein is republicans weren't involved, and I can only speak for Sinn Fein.
"In terms of the incident itself, it's obviously a very serious incident against a person and certainly if there's people who have information then the Sinn Fein position is absolutely clear - they should give it to the PSNI.""In terms of the incident itself, it's obviously a very serious incident against a person and certainly if there's people who have information then the Sinn Fein position is absolutely clear - they should give it to the PSNI."
Condemn
The victim's father said politicians in the area should condemn the incident "without reservation".
"I believe it's mainstream republicans," he said.
"Is it time for republicans to put away the mask, put away the hurly bats, put away the iron bars and let people live in peace?
"Or do they want to go back to the old days of the 1970s of breaking people's legs and abducting young people?
"We can't live under this threat anymore."