Irish businessman Richard O'Halloran, who had been prevented from leaving China for almost three years in a dispute involving the Chinese authorities and the aircraft leasing firm he worked for, has arrived back in Ireland.
He was reunited with his family in Dublin Airport after arriving on a flight this morning.
In a statement after his arrival, Mr O'Halloran issued his gratitude to those involved in securing his return, the media for highlighting his case, "and most importantly, my own family; Ben, Amber, Isabella, Scarlett and especially my wife Tara".
He said his family "were always a beacon of light and hope for me and the hundreds of Messenger calls we had helped me to remain positive. Tara was an incredible tower of strength and kept the show on the road. I am home with them now and we are all looking forward to getting to know each other again and doing normal everyday family things".
— Tara O'Halloran (@tara_ohalloran) January 29, 2022
It is understood that as part of the deal that secured Mr O'Halloran's return to Ireland, significant payment will continue to be made to the Chinese authorities.
The payments, which are funded by the income from the lease of the plane that was central to the dispute, are expected to continue for the next four years
Mr O'Halloran appeared in court in Shanghai earlier this week to sign off on the financial arrangements which played a role in securing his return to Ireland today.
Yesterday, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the Irishman was able to travel back to Ireland.
"His family is delighted with the news and is looking forward to Richard's return home," said a spokesperson for the family.
He also said Mr O'Halloran appears to be in good health.
The Taoiseach said he "warmly welcomed" the returning home of Mr O'Halloran.
"I acknowledge the work of the many people in Ireland and in China who have helped make this day happen," he said in a post on Twitter.
"It has been a very difficult journey for him and his family. Thinking of them today."
Mr O'Halloran's wife Tara posted a picture of their family reunion on Twitter this morning.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said that the Government had been working on the matter for some time and wished Mr O'Halloran "a happy reunion with his family".
In a statement, Mr Coveney also acknowledged the Chinese Embassy in Ireland and Chinese authorities for their assistance.
Mr O'Halloran was a director at CALS Ireland (China International Aviation Leasing Service) - an aircraft leasing firm based in Dublin.
The company had been in dispute with the Chinese authorities, who had blocked Mr O'Halloran from leaving China for almost three years.
Dublin MEP Barry Andrew's was critical of the Department of Foreign Affairs for yesterday thanking the Chinese authorities for assisting with Richard O'Halloran’s return.
"The implications that somehow or other the Chinese authorities are blameless in unnecessarily prolonging this episode is not a very welcome implication from my point of view.
"We cant decouple our commercial relations with China because of course, we're very connected in terms of supply chains, but we have to reflect on the extent to which we don't speak up on issues because it might jeopardize our commercial relations."
The Irish businessman Richard O Halloran has arrived back in Ireland after an enforced stay of almost three years in China. He was reunited with his family in Dublin Airport after arriving on a flight this morning. Pictures by @colmhand @rtenews pic.twitter.com/LOLOaOqQbz
— Samantha Libreri (@SamanthaLibreri) January 29, 2022
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