It is reported that a 42-year-old Belfast man has been released and expelled by the Israeli authorities.
Yesterday the Israeli authorities admitted that the Irish language activist and writer, Seán Ó Muireagáin, had been a victim of mistaken identity.
A spokesman for the Israeli Embassy said that Mr Ó Muireagáin would be put on a flight from Tel Aviv to London Heathrow.
However speaking to RTE's 5-7 Live, Israeli spokesman Danny Seaman, maintained that Mr Ó Muireagáin presented no threat to Israeli security and that he was not deported but left of his own volition.
Israeli sources claim that he admitted under interrogation that he was a member of the IRA in the 80s and had been involved in a bank robbery which he served a jail term for.
Acording to another Israeli statement, Mr Ó Muireagáin had not yet got in contact with terror organisations and since he did not succeed in making contact with anyone he was let go.
He had also taken a polygraph test which he passed.
Mr Ó Muireagáin was arrested in Ramallah last week and questioned about alleged links between republican dissidents and Palestinian militants.
Family and friends of Mr Ó Muireagáin say he is totally innocent.
His parents Teresa and Dessie speaking from their West Belfast home this evening said they were relieved and delighted their son was on his way home.
His father added it was the best birthday present he could have hoped for on his 62nd birthday.
Colleagues of Mr Ó Muireagáin have said serious questions still remain surrounding th erole of British intelligence in his initial arrest and for elements of the media in the subsequent coverage of the incident.
Mr Ó Muireagáin is due back in Belfast in the early hours of this morning.
