The sister of an Irishman released from an Iranian prison last week has said seeing her brother at the airport was an "unbelievable moment".
Bernard Phelan left Iran after being released from over six months in prison.
The 64-year-old, who is originally from Clonmel, Co Tipperary, was detained in Iran in October last year.
The Paris-based travel consultant was arrested while travelling and was being held in Mashhad in northeastern Iran.
The country accused him of anti-government propaganda, a charge he had denied.
Caroline Phelan said the family is over the moon to have him home.
She said her 97-year-old father thought he would never see him again.
Speaking to RTÉ's Morning Ireland, she said that Mr Phelan looked weak but overjoyed.
He will now recover in hospital in France, she said and is now adjusting to life outside prison.
"He can't get over the peace and quiet after sharing a cell with 16 other people", she said.
We need your consent to load this rte-player contentWe use rte-player to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.Manage Preferences
She said her family did not believe that he was well looked after, despite claims by the Iranian Ambassador to Ireland who said that Mr Phelan had enjoyed all the consular, legal and personal protections including medical services in a standard prison.
Caroline Phelan said: "He did see a doctor, there was a doctor in the hospital. He was given tests in the last month.
"He was given a chair and a table in the last month but he was sitting on the floor for six months. Maybe by Iranian standards, they think that a prison like that is okay but not in our standards...We would not agree that he was well looked after. But he's home safely and that's what counts."
She said the Tánaiste told her on Thursday that there was a strong possibility her brother would be released but they did not know he was on his way home until his plane took off from Iran.
"It was really touch and go for him."
Laughing, she said that Mr Pheland has requested "a fry and some Barry's tea" when he is able to return to Ireland.
She added that her brother is very conscious of the other European prisoners that remain in Iran and he is very thankful to be one of the first home.
