The first refugees from Vietnam arrive at Dublin airport.
As part of the UNHCR initiative the first Vietnamese boat people Ireland agreed to take arrive at Dublin Airport. RTÉ News speaks to some of the new arrivals. One man comments that given the opportunity to go to England or the United States, he would prefer to stay in Ireland.
The refugees were met by members of The Red Cross and Minister for Foreign Affairs Michael O'Kennedy. The minister had a reassuring message for the Vietnamese and is confident that the Irish people will be eager to help them where they can.
They certainly are representative of every age, the kind of people that I think we can help and I'm sure our people will be very anxious to help them.
In total, 58 Vietnamese refugees arrived on the first flight from Hong Kong. They are taken by bus to be initially housed at a Red Cross centre in Blanchardstown.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 9 August 1979. The reporter is Michael Walsh.
