It's Over: Ibrahim Halawa Is Finally Home In Dublin
After more than four years of false starts, fading hopes and frustration - Ibrahim Halawa is back in Dublin. The 21-year-old was greeted at Dublin Airport this afternoon by family, friends, a small number of politicians and a media frenzy.
The 21 year old from Firhouse posted a selfie on Instagram on the plane with his sister Nosayba and the Irish ambassador to Egypt, Sean O'Regan.
Ibrahim Halawa said he wants to help other people in prison, and the homeless - and to continue his education now that he's free.
However, a sleep in a clean bed and some fish and chips are the two things he's admitted he's looking forward to right away.
He was finally released from a Cairo jail on Friday, a month after he was found innocent of all charges relating to a protest in Egypt in August 2013, and after more than four years in prison.
It took all that time for his mass trial alongside 490 other defendants to take place.
Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney says he is delighted to see Ibrahim come home.
"This case has been one of the most complex, sensitive and difficult consular cases to which the Irish Government has ever responded."
"There were some difficult and dark times, but sight was never lost of our two key objectives – to get Ibrahim home, and to do everything possible to safeguard his rights and welfare for as long as he remained in the custody."
Ibrahim’s mum, dad, five sisters, brother, nieces and nephews were all there to greet him at Dublin Airport and got a private moment before Ibrahim faced the media.
They now plan to take a few days away to help him recover from the four year ordeal.
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