Former conjoined twins Hassan and Hussein Benhaffaf from Co Cork are to return to Ireland with their family tomorrow for the first time since the operation.
The pair were separated in an operation at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London last month.
In a statement, Consultant Paediatric Surgeon Edward Kiely, who oversaw the operation to separate the twins, said the hospital was delighted with their progress.
He said the twins were now two very independent little boys with every chance of a great future.
The baby boys, born on 2 December 2009, were joined from the chest to the pelvis, sharing liver, gut and bladder, but critically their hearts were not joined.
And, according to Mr Kiely, that made the task of separating Hassan and Hussein relatively straightforward.
Since the operation on 7 April, both boys have clearly been thriving and their return home tomorrow is weeks ahead of schedule.
Angie and Azzedine Benhaffaf say they are happy and relieved and all their prayers have been answered.
They have thanked doctors and staff both at Great Ormond Street and at Cork University Maternity Hospital, where the boys will continue to receive care and support.
Angie and Azzedine say that as tough as the past year has been for themselves and their family, they feel so much good has come from this experience and they are now looking forward to giving Hassan and Hussein the happy future that they deserve.
The Benhaffaf family are due to be flown from London to Cork by the Air Corps at lunchtime tomorrow.
