TRIBUTES CONTINUED to pour in for Sharon Commins yesterday following her release from captivity.
President Mary McAleese said she would host a reception at Áras an Uachtaráin on Thursday afternoon to mark the safe return of the Goal worker.
The event will be attended by the Commins family and friends and also by representatives of all departments, agencies and organisations that assisted in her release and offered support to her family during her captivity.
Comhlámh, the association for development workers, expressed its relief at the safe release of Ms Commins and Ms Kawuki.
“We salute the tremendous courage shown by these two brave humanitarian aid workers during their horrendous ordeal that thankfully is now over,” said Comhlámh’s Deirdre Kettlewell.
Comhlámh held a vigil service of solidarity with the families of the aid workers in the Pro Cathedral last week.
Ms Commins and Ms Kawuki were accompanied from El Fasher to Khartoum by Sudan’s minister for humanitarian affairs Abdul Bagi al-Jailani in the early hours of yesterday morning. Ms Commins left Khartoum on the Government jet at 3.10pm Irish time yesterday.
She was accompanied by Gerry Corr, the Irish ambassador with responsibility for Sudan, as well as medical and Air Corps personnel.
The jet stopped at Cairo airport for refuelling, where it was delayed before beginning the final leg of its journey home.
