Hero's welcome for world champion Heffernan

Ireland's new athletics world champion has arrived back on Irish soil.

Ireland's latest World Champion Rob Heffernan touched down on Irish soil shortly after 5pm this evening, with his 50k walk Gold medal en tow, to a rapturous welcome at Dublin Airport.

Hundreds of supporters, including Minister for Children Francis Fitzgerald T.D. representing the Irish Government greeted Rob and his coach and wife Marian as they emerged through the Arrivals gate of Terminal 2.