An Irishman who had been prevented from leaving China for nearly three years after a business dispute has arrived back in Ireland after mammoth diplomatic negotiations.

Richard O’Halloran was reunited with his family in Dublin after flying out of Shanghai last night and arriving in Ireland early this morning.

His wife Tara, who had campaigned for her husband’s release, tweeted photos of their reunion, saying the family is “unbelievably happy to have him back” and grateful for everyone’s support.

pic.twitter.com/bK4BOKGz49

Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheal Martin said he “warmly welcomed” the release of Mr O’Halloran, and said that it had been “a very difficult journey for him and his family”.

The father-of-four had been trapped in China since travelling to Shanghai in February 2019.

Mr O’Halloran is an executive with CALS Ireland (China International Aviation Leasing Service), an aircraft leasing firm based in Dublin.

The company became involved in dispute with the Chinese authorities, after a crowdfunding scheme that had been organised before Mr O’Halloran joined the firm.

COVID-19: North Korea set to reopen borders and resume trading with China

Climate change: Future of Winter Olympics and snow sports on thin ice, report warns

China flies 39 warplanes towards Taiwan as tensions with island rise

He travelled to China to meet with investors and address the issues raised, but was later detained at passport control when he attempted to return home.

He was given an exit ban, and was effectively blocked from leaving China for almost three years.

Mr O’Halloran was never charged with a crime or accused of any wrongdoing.

On Friday, Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that a deal had been agreed with Chinese authorities, and that Mr O’Halloran would finally be allowed to return home.

Related posts:

Portugal and Mauritius removed from England’s ‘travel ban’ red list France to return Klimt masterpiece sold under duress during Nazi era to rightful Jewish heirs WHO reassures Europe over Oxford jab as experts look into blood clot claims Israeli archaeologists discover dozens of new Dead Sea Scroll fragments in desert cave In the nation where COVID first gripped Europe, fans are optimistic of a safe and successful Euros Growing calls to scrap foreign aid cuts as philanthropists step in to replace shortfall Looting and anarchy sparked by Zuma arrest ‘may lead to food shortages’ in South Africa At least three dead and five missing as buildings collapse in Sicily gas explosion Far-right French presidential candidate convicted over migrant children comments Palestinian residents facing eviction from disputed property climb on to roof and threaten to set gas canisters on fire Distress signal detected on isolated Tonga islands that are home to 105 people Satellite images show Tonga covered in ash after volcanoc eruption