Exiled militants arrive in Dublin

Two Palestinian militants exiled following the siege at the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem earlier this month have arrived in Ireland on a flight from Spain.

The Government agreed to accommodate the men as part of an EU-brokered deal to end the 37-day stand-off at the church.

A number of Palestinian militants took refuge in the West Bank church along with civilians and clergy in early April as the Israeli army invaded Bethlehem.

13 of them were exiled as part of the siege deal and have been granted accommodation across the EU.

The two men destined for Ireland are expected to be put up in a small hotel or guest house and kept under garda supervision.

They will be granted Irish residency for 12 months, after which they can apply for asylum. They cannot leave Ireland during their stay, but their families may join them.