41-strong Irish Paralympic team arrives back in Dublin

The Irish Paralympic team has arrived back in Dublin after winning four medals in Athens over the past two weeks.

The 41 athletes were welcomed home by a crowd of well-wishers including Sports Minister John O'Donoghue, Olympic gold medallist Cian O'Connor and former Olympic boxing champion Michael Carruth.

The biggest welcome was reserved for Mayo's Conal McNamara, who won a silver medal in the 400m event, Dublin swimmer David Malone, who won silver in the 100m backstroke, Cork's John McCarthy, who came second in the discus, and Clare's Derek Malone, who won bronze in the 800m.

Meath's Lisa O'Callaghan also set a world record in the javelin at the Paralympics.

President Mary McAleese is due to host an official reception for the Irish team at Aras an Uachtarain next Wednesday.