Tiede Herrema

Who is Tiede Herrema?

Dr Tiede Herrema is a Dutch businessman. He was born in Zuilen.

In the 1970s, Herrema ran a wire factory, Ferenka, in the city of Limerick, Ireland. At the time, this was the city's biggest employer, with approximately 1,400 workers. On the morning of 3 October 1975 Herrema was abducted having just left his home in Castletroy near Limerick by two members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army, Eddie Gallagher and Marion Coyle. The kidnappers demanded the release of three IRA prisoners, including Rose Dugdale.

After a massive security operation, the kidnappers were eventually traced on 21 October 1975 to a house in Monasterevin, County Kildare. After a further two week long siege, Herrema was released, shaken but unharmed. He left Ireland soon after.

He eventually returned to present an episode of Saturday Live. He and his wife Elizabeth were made honorary Irish citizens in 1975, and he was made a Freeman of the city of Limerick.

In 2005, he donated his personal papers to the University of Limerick.