The festivity of St. Patrick's Day explodes into a nightmare of bloody violence when an extremist offshoot of the IRA takes New York City by siege.  They've kidnapped four of the city's most prominent citizens and are threatening to end their lives - and demolish the beautiful St. Patrick's Cathedral - unless their fanatical demands are met.  Now the hostages - and the world - must wait painstakingly for dawn to learn their fate . . .