Irish businessman Richard O’Halloran, who had been banned 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.
O’Halloran left Shanghai on a flight yesterday evening after a deal was struck between Irish and Chinese authorities, allowing him to finally return home. He was reunited with his family at Dublin Airport, this morning. He met his wife and children in the Platinum section of the arrival section of Terminal 1 where they spent almost an hour together laughing and chatting before departing.
Richard’s wife Tara tweeted this morning: “Thank you, everyone, for all your support. We are so unbelievably happy to have him back.”
Welcoming O’Halloran’s return home, Taoiseach Micheál Martin tweeted: “I acknowledge the work of the many people in Ireland and in China who have helped make this day happen. It has been a very difficult journey for him and his family. Thinking of them today.”
In a statement released today, O’Halloran thanked politicians and the public for their support, saying: “This generosity of spirit can never be repaid
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.