Lebanon evacuees arrive in Dublin

More than 80 Irish citizens evacuated from Lebanon earlier this week have arrived in Dublin on an Aer Lingus flight.

The group were brought from Beirut to Syria on Monday on special buses arranged by the Irish Government.

They were later flown to Dubai, from where they caught a scheduled Aer Lingus flight to Dublin Airport this morning.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs says at least 25 Irish civilians are still in Beirut seeking evacuation, with a further 40 or more stranded elsewhere in Lebanon.

Irish officials in Beruit are now planning a second evacuation from the city tomorrow morning, but the logistics of the move are still being finalised and it is unclear if the group will take the same route.

Child psychologist Colette Murphy brought her three daughters with her but left her husband Fergal.

Mrs Murphy, who has lived in Lebanon for 11 years, said: “I feel very sad for what has happened in Lebanon, we have tried to protect the kids from what was going on but they heard very loud bangs at times.

“Hopefully my husband will join us today or tomorrow on the next evacuation.”

The Co Monahan native is not sure if she can return to Lebanon with her daughters Clara, eight, Shauna, five and Emily three.

Dublin engineer Gerard Moran, 39, called for EU sanctions against Israel over its bombardment of Lebanon.

“It’s unacceptable what is going on while the international community stands idly by.

“Israel has a special status with the EU which is very wrong when you consider what its government has approved of in recent days.”

All passengers thanked the Irish Government for the speed and professionalism in which they officials carried out the evacuation.